Dunnes Stores finally responds to councillors in relation to shopping centre in Kilkenny

Earlier this week, at the meeting of councillors from Piltown Municipal District, councillors were informed that Dunnes Stores had finally responded to their pleas for communication in relation to Ferrybank Shopping Centre in County Kilkenny.

The meeting administrator, Marie Phelan, told elected members that the supermarket giant have suggested an initial meeting between local authority executive and themselves, and will then ‘take it from there’.

The development was warmly welcomed by Piltown MD Chair, Cllr Ger Frisby.

“At long long last,” he said. “Hopefully the meeting will be positive and fruitful.”

For months, councillors have been writing to the supermarket giant in an attempt to find out when it is planning to officially open the complex.

Councillors have previously stressed the need for Dunnes Stores to be made aware of the important joint retail strategy active at present involving both Kilkenny and Waterford, as well as the upcoming Ferrybank Belview Local Area Plan.

BACKGROUND

Ferrybank Shopping Centre is a vast complex on the Kilkenny-Waterford border that has been mostly empty since its completion in 2008.

For over a decade, the site was the centre of a legal dispute between Dunnes Stores, who were originally signed on as the anchor tenant, and Deerland Construction Ltd, a company that transferred the loans for the building to NAMA.

Back in March of 2023, it was revealed that Dunnes Stores purchased and now have ownership of the centre.

Since that purchase, a large amount of remedial work has been conducted, prompting anticipation of an inevitable opening.