Planning hurdles must be overcome before Marks & Spencer can open new store in Limerick

Significant planning hurdles must be overcome before Marks & Spencer can open its new flagship store in Limerick in 2016.

The opening of the 72,000sq ft store at the proposed Horizon Mall on the Dublin Road, formerly the Parkway Valley development, is subject to planning permission.

In 2009, M&S planned to open a flagship store at the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick, but these plans were rejected by An Bord Pleanála due to concerns about declining trade and footfall in the city centre.

It had been widely anticipated M&S would open its first Limerick store in the city centre in a new shopping area to be developed as part of a redevelopment of the city.

Yesterday Limerick Chamber urged M&S to consider a city centre location for its proposed store.

“It is important to highlight that any development in the Parkway Valley is subject to planning consent and we understand that significant hurdles need to be overcome before anything can happen.

“With all the positive developments that are happening in Limerick, Marks & Spencer are right to be looking at locating a flagship store here but the right strategic move would be for M&S to locate in the city centre,” said Limerick Chamber chief executive Maria Kelly.

Tom Enright, director for economic development and planing for Limerick city and county councils, admitted he was disappointed M&S was considering locating its first Limerick store outside the city centre.

“It’s disappointing that they are going outside of the city centre.”