Mayo sports retailers purchase iconic building in Cork city centre
ONE of the Ireland's leading sports retail chains, Intersport Elverys, has expanded its extensive operations in Ireland with the purchase of a new outlet in Cork city centre.
The Irish Examiner has reported that the Debenhams/Roches Store building on Patrick’s Street, which was vacated three years ago, has been purchased by the Intersport/Elverys group for around €12 million and is expected to be open for business later this year.
The Intersport/Elverys group, which has its headquarters in Castlebar, is one of the leading companies in its field with a huge online presence and stores dotted all over Ireland.
The purchase of the iconic Debenham building, situated in the centre of Cork city, will bring the number of stores owned by the company to 47 while employing over 700 people.
The company has been enjoying a major increase in trade since the end of the pandemic with the Cork opening will be among a number of new stores it has opened in the last year.
Intersport Elverys CEO Patrick Rowland said: “We are hugely proud to become part of Cork city’s bustling retail community once again and are really looking forward to restoring some history and excitement to Patrick’s Street.
]Mr. Rowland added: “Cork city, like Intersport Elverys, is hugely invested in local community and sport and we have an unwavering belief in the area’s potential, which is evident in this strategic expansion.”
The purchase will create an unspecified number of full-time and part time jobs which will be filled by local people.
“The closure of what is one of the city’s landmark buildings left a huge void to be filled and we are looking forward to breathing new life into it by offering an exceptional shopping experience with the creation of this flagship store,” added Mr. Rowland .
According to the report in The Irish Examiner, Intersport Elverys' move into a central store in the epicentre of one of the country’s strongest sporting counties is notable.
A spokesperson for Intersport Elverys Ger Flanagan said: “We aim to create a destination that not only offers a wide-range of top sporting goods but also a hub for sports lovers and enthusiasts in Cork.”
“Being so hugely invested in both local sport and local community, we feel this expansion into the proud city of Cork holds immense significance for our brand."