Dunnes Stores should 'hang their heads in shame' over vacant building in Tipperary

Dunnes Stores should “hang their heads in shame” for having allowed their former store in Clonmel’s town centre to lie vacant for such a long time.

That was the view expressed by Cllr Tom Acheson at a meeting of Clonmel Borough District.

The company’s drapery outlet in O’Connell Street closed eight years ago, and has remained empty since then.

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The O’Connell Street branch sold clothes for several years before its closure. It was also a grocery store when it opened as the company’s first branch in Clonmel more than 50 years ago.

Cllr Acheson said that businesses come and go, and shop owners retire from time to time.

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However, this was a company that had two other profitable stores in the town (at Oakville and Davis Road).

He suggested that the company should engage with Town Regeneration Officer Shane Grogan and his team. There were mechanisms in place to help with such situations. There were lots of possibilities for that building, said Cllr Acheson.

Clonmel’s Mayor, Pat English, said he “agreed entirely” with those sentiments.

Cllr Siobhán Ambrose said she understood that the building was available for rent.

Cllr Richie Molloy agreed that Dunnes Stores should do something with the store, and show an example to other companies that owned vacant town centre buildings.

It was agreed that District Administrator Carol Creighton would contact the company.