'Sad to see it go': Lengthy queues as people head to New Look ...

There were queues as far as the eye could see, as people gathered at New Look outlets across Cork today as the retailer reopened for clearance sales ahead of its final closure.

The UK clothing retailer announced late last week that it would be winding down it’s Irish operations, as the company found it was no longer viable to trade in Ireland following several years of “sustained losses and challenging market conditions”.

Following this announcement, the retailer closed its stores for several days to prepare before reopening this morning.

Leesiders took to the four Cork outlets in droves across Opera Lane, Wilton, Blackpool and Ballincollig to avail of the sales, with many voicing to The Echo their sympathies for the nearly 50 staff members across the county who will lose their jobs.

Among the crowd queuing to enter the Opera Lane store, were mother-and-daughter duo, Helen Murphy from Douglas and Aoife O’Donnell of Boreenmanna Rd, who waited just over 45 minutes to get into the shop.

“I am absolutely sad to see it go,” said Ms Murphy.

“I think Opera Lane will be missing a very good shop once this is gone - it’s a pity.

“I'm worried that other shops will go too,” she added.

Ms O’Donnell said: “There has been lots of new shops opened around Patrick Street, but with this closing now it’s another dent in the city – I know it’ll affect Wilton, Blackpool [and Ballincollig] too, but especially the city, a lot of it looks derelict and this just adds to it.

“There should definitely be a rates reduction or a rent free period for retailers for the first few years – there should be some sort of incentive to get them into the city."

Further down the line, friends Aoife James and Brooke O’Gorman from Ballinlough, and Hannah Simmons from Rochestown, said that while they are sad to see the retailer exit the market, they are hopeful for what’s to come in its place.

“For the street, I'm sad to see that another outlet has gone, it’s a centre retail unit, so it’ll make the place look empty,” said Ms Simmons.

“I know that Urban Outfitters are planning on coming to Cork, they would’ve been my first choice [to replace New Look] but other than that, I’d be happy to see a Bershka.” 

Ms James said: “I’m definitely sad to see it go, there are a lot of places closing down around Cork and you never know how long they’ll be vacant – it just makes Cork seem so bare.

“As a person who is in the alternative scene in Cork, it would be great to have something that catered to those people, so I would love to see a Hot Topic go in there.” 

Ms O’Gorman said: “Stradivarius would be quite nice to have in the city – something that is in the affordable range but also durable and sustainable – or maybe a vintage shop.” 

New Look’s Opera Lane location employs 18 staff members, followed by 11 in Ballincollig, 10 in Wilton and nine in Blackpool.

Friends Shauna Heaney from Mallow and Nina Xue from Glanmire said they feel bad for those who will now be unemployed, and hope that the unit won’t sit vacant for a long time.

“It’s a very sad circumstance to see another unit empty,” said Ms Heaney.

“It would be great to have something in there that’ll bring the punter in, Zara would be a good option - I wouldn’t want to see it vacant for too long - it’ll look desperate.” 

Ms Xue said: “I always loved shopping in New Look – I was so shocked to hear it was closing, I didn’t believe it.

“I feel like it’s not good for Cork, but hopefully something will come in to boost the economy – I would love to see a Zara take it’s place.” 

When notifying the public of the impending closure, a spokesperson for New Look said: “Our Irish business has struggled for many years due to rising costs and squeezed consumer spending, despite our efforts to turnaround the performance.

“Our focus now is on supporting our colleagues through this process.” 

The retailer’s announcement also said that the High Court approved the appointment of Shane McCarthy and Cormac O'Connor of KPMG Ireland as provisional liquidators over the business and it’s assets.

Following this news, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I was very disappointed to hear [of the closure], but we will do everything we possibly can to support the workers, hopefully to secure alternative employment.

“The employment situation has been good in the country, [but] obviously when a retailer like that closes, its very difficult for the workers in the first instance.”