Shaws Department Stores is to open in Mullingar this autumn, bringing a boost of more than 30 new jobs to County Westmeath.
The 14,000 sq ft premises, which is currently vacant, is located on Austin Friars Street and was formerly occupied by Texas Stores.
Jonathan Shaw, managing director of Shaws, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for our company. Mullingar has been on our company’s radar for some time and we’re delighted to have acquired a high-profile premises in the town. The focus will be on women’s fashions, footwear and accessories, with leading Irish and multinational brands on offer. Other departments will include cosmetics, homewares, and linens.”
Mr Shaw said that his firm believes now is a good time to open, despite the difficulties experienced by the retail sector in recent years: “There are signs for optimism as we head into 2016,” he said. “We are confident that the people of Mullingar and further afield will respond to our unique offering of quality and service.”
Shaws Department Stores is one of Ireland’s leading retailers and sees more than half a million customer visits every month to its 15 stores around the country. The company is both family owned and managed, with the current managing director, Jonathan Shaw, among the fourth generation of the family to work in the business.
Mr Shaw said that the recruitment process for the new store will likely begin in May and there would also be considerable investment in refurbishing the newly acquired premises prior to opening.
