Home Store + More to open in Athlone
The Irish-owned homewares retailer Home Store + More is to open its first branch in Westmeath at the Arcadia Retail Park in Athlone, it has been announced.
In a statement issued to the Westmeath Independent, Arcadia Retail Park said it was delighted to confirm it was bringing "another top-tier retailer" to Athlone.
It said Home Store + More had signed a long-term deal to take a 21,000 square foot store in an area of the park formerly occupied by Carpetright and Laura Ashley.
Work on the new store is already underway, and approximately 40 jobs are expected to be created when it opens in the coming months.
Home Store + More has become the second big-name retailer to come to Arcadia in 2022, following the successful opening of JYSK, the Scandinavian furniture and furnishings chain, in August
Fiachra McLoughlin, director of Arcadia Retail Park, said, "We believe that Home Store + More will really mark the arrival of Arcadia as a thriving retail centre in Athlone for shoppers from around the Midlands.
"Our anchor tenant, B&Q, has over 50,000 square foot of retail space and garden centre.
"JYSK have had a spectacular opening few months and now having Home Store + More as well will make Arcadia a real destination for shoppers all throughout the year."
Morgan Fagg, who was recently appointed as facilities manager at Arcadia Retail Park, said it was "a really exciting time" to be coming on board.
"I've seen how popular Home Store + More are at some of their stores in Dublin. They are a real success story in Irish retail and I wish them all the very best with their fit-out works and new store opening plans," he said.
The marketing manager at Arcadia Retail Park, Katie Gleeson, said there had been a lot of speculation online about who might be next to open in Arcadia, and she was delighted the identity of the new store could now be revealed.
"Hopefully Home Store + More will do one of their famous trolley dash promotions in Athlone soon!" she said.
Athlone councillor Frankie Keena has also welcomed the news, saying the creation of 40 new jobs was a very welcome boost for the area.
"It shows that despite the growth of online shopping, physical stores are still an important part of the local economy," he commented.
"This announcement is another strong vote of confidence in Athlone. This major retail store will definitely attract shoppers from throughout the Midlands to Athlone.
"I would like to commend the Arcadia directors and management for all of their work in making this park a must-visit shopping destination, and I wish them the very best with their future plans," said Cllr Keena.
Founded in 2004, with the opening of its first branch in Tallaght, the Home Store + More business has grown to employ over 830 staff across its 24 stores in Ireland and the UK.