Popular Fermoy independent retailer to close after almost 60-years in business
THE stark reality of the problems faced by independent Irish retailers was brought into sharp focus this week following the news that one of north Cork’s landmark shops is to cease trading.
Joe Murphy menswear on Pearse Square in Fermoy will close its doors to the public for the final time on June 8 after almost six-decades in operation.
Opened on Patrick’s St in 1958 by popular local businessman Joe Murphy, the family-run business flourished under his guidance and in 1972 moved to a larger premises in the town’s main square.
The business continued to grow becoming, something of a local institution and a ‘one-stop-shop’ for a wide range of clothes, suits, shoes and school uniforms.
Speaking to The Corkman Ray Murphy, who took over the running of the business from his late father, said it was with a “profound sense of regret” that he had to announce the closure.
Mr Murphy said that a number outside influences had changed the landscape for independent retailers over recent years making it more difficult for traditional ‘ high-street’ shops to compete.
“One of the key issues has been the increase in online trading, which has had a devastating effect on smaller businesses. We have also had to contend with the proliferation of shopping centres such as Mahon Point, which is less that 30-minutes drive on the motorway,” said Mr Murphy.
He said that another key issue was that traditional traders do not have the same buying power as larger operations, effectively pricing smaller local retailers out of business.
“The reality of the situation is that independent retailing across the country is suffering because of factors such as these and an increasing number of shops are faced with no option but to close their doors as it has become impossible to compete with the buying power of larger operators,” said Mr Murphy.
“The loss of shops like ours in towns across the country is a symptom of just how difficult it is for independent retailers to trade successfully,” he added.
The news of the closure was greeted with shock and sadness by the local community, with hundreds of people taking to social media to express their disappointment.