Debenhams may open second store here

The giant UK department store chain Debenhams plans to open at least one other store in the Republic, probably in Cork.

However, it is not among 150 sites identified by the company this week as places where it could operate. The store has been trading out of the Jervis Centre in Dublin for the past five years.

The assessment of the number of possible sites in the UK goes beyond the extensive expansion plan already set out for the next four years, as the group grows from 97 stores to 106. Four stores will open during the next financial year.

David Barford, Debenham's store manager in Jervis Street, said that while it was not actively looking at this time for a second site here, Ireland "was on the radar screen". This is hardly surprising given that the turnover at the Jervis Centre outlet puts it in the top 20 stores out of a total of 97 operated by the group. The strong performance by the Dublin store is all the more significant because it is located close to the highly successful Arnotts, which has strengthened its position in recent years. Mr Barford said Debenham's Dublin outlet has been outperforming average retail growth since it first opened. Designer fashion business alone was 30 per cent up on last year.

Their fashion stock is heavily weighted towards designer wear and, happily, Irish customers tended to be aspirational in terms of designer brands, he said.

Mr Barford's comments came as the overall company reported pre-tax profits up 14 per cent to £92 million sterling on a turnover of £934.6 million for the 26 weeks to March 2nd.

Like all the units in the Jervis Centre, Debenhams is facing a hefty increase in rent as the first review gets into full swing.

The company is also faced with the prospect of having to pay a premium on its rent for the next five years when it can continue to claim double rent relief and a remission on rates.