NEXT IS CLOSING

THE retail industry in Sligo is enduring mixed fortunes with the news this week that British retail giant Next is closing it’s branch in Sligo but Australian retailer Harvey Norman is on the way.

In a statement to The Sligo Champion, a spokesperson for Next confirmed the Quayside store in Sligo will close on 2nd June.

No reason was given for the decision for the closure. It was one of the anchor tenants in the shopping centre since it opened in 2005.

The news coincides with the publication of new data from GeoDirectory revealing Sligo has the country’s highest commercial vacancy rate of 18.7 %.

Kerry boasts the lowest rate at 10.5% while the national commercial vacancy rate stands at 13.3%.

It’s not all bad however. Australian retailer Harvey Norman is plotting two new stores - in Sligo and Galway - as it continues a sustained expansion plan after nudging into profitability.

CEO Blaine Callard, confirmed that the company is in advanced talks for leases at the two locations.

The new stores are likely to employ dozens of staff between