Tesco unveils its plan for Pierce’s
November 2003
Tesco Ireland is planning to build a state-of-theart supermarket, retail shops, and upmarket apartment complex at the old Pierce’s site in Wexford town. It will create hundreds of jobs.
The multi-million euro development, which could be completed within the next 12 months, is conditional on the Borough Council rezoning the site, which is currently zoned for light industry, and the company obtaining planning permission.
The supermarket giant held a ‘closed doors’ meeting in Wexford on Monday night, which was attended by all five Wexford TDs, most of the borough councillors, borough manager Adrian Doyle, and Michael Laffan, chief executive at Waterford Stanley, which owns the site which was home to the defunct Pierce’s company for generations.
At the same time as developing the Pierce’s site – which would include 350 free parking spaces – Tesco is also proposing to redevelop its existing store on the Quays, which would be converted into apartments, small retail units, and a restaurant.
Minister of State John Browne, among those at the talks with Tesco executives, said the development would be very positive for the town, and would free up a particularly congested area of the Quays, while significantly improving the ‘disadvantaged’ south of the town.
‘A lot of the town’s supermarket shopping is congested into the area around Dunnes Stores at the moment, and I would like to see that part of Wexford (the south) come to life,’ he said.
‘At the end of the day, it’s up to the Corporation members to rezone the site, and while it might be wrong to pre-empt what will happen, their reaction on Monday seemed to be positive,’ he added.
‘I don’t know what the reaction of people in Wexford town will be. Certainly, all the politicians there, whether for or against, were impressed with the plan and what was on the table. I would far rather see them (Tesco) at the Pierce’s site than going out to a roundabout on the outskirts of the town,’ said Minister Browne.
According to those at the meeting, the huge development would be similar to Tesco’s flagship stores in Carlow, Athy, and Waterford, and would enable the supermarket giant to employ 300 people in the town, compared to the 90 who are currently working at the Quays.
As well as the main store, there would also be facilities for a chemists and a laundry, and between 30 and 40 ‘upmarket’ apartments at the Pierce’s site.
There are equally ambitious plans for the site of the current Tesco store on the Quays, where it is proposed to provide further apartments, a restaurant, and a number of other ‘upscale’ shopping units.
The Borough Council is expected to receive an application for rezoning within the coming week, and will meet to consider the Tesco application ‘shortly’.