California-based Forever 21 fashion chain to create 250 jobs in Dublin

US FASHION giant Forever 21 is to create 250 jobs in Dublin and a further 50 jobs are to be created by Dun & Bradstreet, the business information company.

Forever 21 will open its first European store in the Jervis Shopping Centre on Henry Street next month.

Based in California, the company has 460 stores worldwide and an annual turnover of $2.3 billion. Stores in the UK will also be opened this year, including in Birmingham and London, and in other European cities next year.

The store will occupy almost 70,000sq ft over three floors previously occupied by Arnotts. It will operate in the same market as Henry Street stores Zara and H&M. It is expected to open on November 12th.

Founded in 1984 in Los Angeles by South Korean Dong-Won Chang and his wife Jin Sook, the company has 6,000 employees.

Mr Chang said that it was "very proud to expand into Ireland with the launch of the ideal store location at Dublin's Jervis Centre".

"We are thrilled to offer the broadest selection of the latest fashion trends at a great value to the stylish European shoppers," he said.

Owner of the Jervis centre Paddy McKillen is reported to be earning rent of €2.75 million per year from the deal. A spokeswoman for Mr McKillen said it was a great coup for Ireland that the company's first European store would be in the Jervis centre.

She said that Mr McKillen had created over 100 new jobs at Captain America's in Blanchardstown and at least 100 other new jobs at another location would be announced soon.

Mr McKillen is taking a legal action against the transfer of his loans to the National Asset Management Agency. The case starts in the High Court tomorrow.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O'Keeffe announced 50 new jobs in Dun & Bradsheet Information Solutions.

The company, based in Sandyford, Dublin, had planned to create 100 jobs, but has committed to an additional 50 jobs to be in place by the end of next year.

It employs 40 workers having established its centre earlier this year.

Recruitment is now under way for researchers, software developers, analysts and support staff.

Mr O'Keeffe said the extra jobs showed investor confidence in Ireland's capacity to recover was strong "because the Government is pursuing the right policies for a return to economic growth in the near term".