Wexford store closing its doors
DESPITE having seemingly weathered what were extremely difficult years for other businesses, the owners of Slaneyside Carpets and Furniture Wexford have announced that they are to close the doors on their Wexford unit by the end of the month.
The showroom in the Kerlogue Industrial Estate, in Drinagh opened in 1998, however, owner Pat Murphy says that they have been forced to close as he seeks to downsize his operation and consolidate his business to one location at Templeshannon Quay in Enniscorthy, which had previously just been used for the carpet end of the business.
Also set to close is the Slaneyside Interiors Showroom at Scarawalsh in Enniscothy.
‘There are a lot of contributing factors,’ said Mr Murphy. ‘But with regards to our place in Wexford, really it’s downsizing. We’re hoping to do just as much from the shop on Templeshannon Quay. We’re doing a lot of renovations on the upper floors and will be doing a lot more work in the coming weeks.’
Mr Murphy was also keen to thank the people of Wexford for their support over the past 20 years.
‘On behalf of myself and Karen, we are extremely grateful to the people who have been such loyal customers to us over the years,’ he said. ‘It’s the local people that have come and done business and supported us that really kept us going through the tough times. Local people have been the mainstay for our business and we’re very grateful to them.’
While Slaneyside Interiors would have employed between eight and ten people countywide at its peak, the closure has resulted in just two job losses, one of which was Manager of the Wexford store Declan Foley. However, Mr Murphy is confident that he has secured both employees work within the trade.
‘That was the hardest part,’ he said. ‘Declan Foley and Tony Noctor have been with us for a very long time and have been very loyal employees through it all. If it hadn’t been for them, we probably would have done this long ago.’
With a closing down sale ongoing at the unit, Mr Murphy said that the plan is to close the doors by the end of August and then hopefully lease the building out.