THIS is the dramatic moment an Irish shopping centre was knocked down this week – with locals saying “it’s the end of an era”.
Videos circulating online show the demolition of Crumlin Shopping Centre in Dublin.
Crumlin shopping centre has been demolished this week[/caption]
Videos circulating online show the popular spot’s last moments[/caption]
The shopping centre first opened in 1974, with the legendary Gay Byrne releasing balloons at the launch of the 91-acre site on Crumlin Road.
Back then, the popular shopping centre had around 40 retail units.
However, in recent years Dunnes Stores was the only retailer left standing – and now it plans to redevelop Crumlin Shopping Centre into its main store.
Planning permission for the redevelopment was granted in April last year.
This new plan features space for a shopping centre, an off-licence, two retail stalls, a cafe and a room for online grocery pick-up.
The design also includes 267 bicycle parking spaces, 20 motorcycle spaces, 80 electric vehicle charging spots, family parking, click-and-collect areas and wheelchair-accessible spaces.
What’s more, the revamped centre will feature a new Dunnes Stores anchor unit, a food market and even a medical centre.
And it is expected to create 150-200 jobs during construction.
According to planning documents released by the Irish Independent, the updated centre will “meet the evolving needs of existing tenants and respond to modern demands from shoppers and retailers.”
Construction of the site, including the demolition of the current rundown centre, is set to take between 18 and 24 months.
A report by KPMG Future Analytics research consultancy said the proposal “will revitalise the area” and it could generate an annual turnover of €62.9m by 2027.
The documents also note that many of the smaller retail units have been vacant for over ten years, and the site had since been plagued by anti-social behaviour.
People have taken to the comment section to share their thoughts on the demolition.
One person wrote: “Childhood memories gone – good and bad.”
Another said: “The best shopping centre growing up in the 80s and 90s, special memories.”
This comes after the fashion retailer Quiz announced its closure of Irish stores – after it fell into insolvency.
Quiz Clothing has shut almost two dozen shops, with closures affecting locations in Ireland, England and Scotland.
Some 191 employees have been made redundant following the immediate store closures.
Irish closures include shops at The Square Tallaght, Dublin, Athlone Town Centre shopping centre, Newbridge, Whitewater shopping centre in Kildare, Erneside shopping centre in Enniskillen and Richmond shopping centre in Derry.
Chief Executive of Quiz, Sheraz Ramzan, said: “The board took the difficult decision to appoint administrators to Zandra Retail Limited in light of the continuing challenging trading conditions impacting the group’s performance.
“We are deeply sorry to those affected by the store closures, including our retail colleagues.
“However, this decision will put the business on a more sustainable footing for the future and protect several hundred jobs as a result.”
The shopping centre is set to be replaced by a Dunnes Stores[/caption]
