Updated 4.09pm
COMPANIES BEHIND A massive €26 million expansion of the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in west Dublin hope to create 450 new jobs over the coming years.
Permission for the new build was granted by An Bord Pleanala last year.
Announcing details of the new plan, developers Hines Ireland said the project would see the floor area of the centre expanded by 16 per cent.
The expansion will include a new Penneys, six restaurants and 3,300 square metres of civic space.
A new “Western End façade” will also be constructed, and reconfigurations will be made to the existing VUE Cinema.
It’s planned 225 construction jobs will come on stream during the build.
Over 2,000 people are already employed at the centre.
“It represents an exciting new phase of development for the centre which has evolved into a major shopping destination for west Dublin and beyond,” Liffey Valley director Denis O’Connell said.
“Now in our 17th year of trading, Liffey Valley boasts full occupancy with 100 tenants including anchor brands Marks & Spencer, Next, Dunnes Stores and Boots.
Our expansion plan signals a promising new chapter for Liffey Valley.
The project will be completed “as quickly as possible” according to the announcement from Hines Ireland.
“The expected timeframe for the completion of the works will see the cinema upgrade open in Autumn 2015, with the new Penneys due to open in late 2016.”
As many as 280 jobs are expected to be created at the Penneys store.
However, it means that one older store in Naas will close later this year.
A statement from Primark said all 22 employees have been offered “relocation opportunities at Penneys in Newbridge in addition to other stores in the national and international network” ahead of the April closure date.
“Primark also announced its intention to dispose of the former Superquinn site in Naas which was originally acquired in August 2008,” the statement added.
An additional 36 new jobs will be created at the company’s head office on Parnell Street/Jervis Street.
First published 1.01am. Additional reporting by Nicky Ryan.
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