// Frasers Group to launch Frasers in Ireland this year, with two locations in Cork and Kildare
// The new stores will take up vacant units left behind by Debenhams
// The Frasers fascia is the luxury offshoot of House of Fraser
Frasers Group is set to bring its upmarket Frasers fascia to Ireland with the launch of two stores within units previously occupied by Debenhams.
The two new Frasers stores in Ireland will be located in Mahon Point Shopping Centre in Cork, and Whitewater Shopping Centre in Kildare.
Frasers Group said the debut of Frasers in the republic will create a “significant” number of new jobs.
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The Frasers fascia is the luxury offshoot of House of Fraser, which the Mike Ashley-owned Fraser Group acquired in August 2018 in a £90 million pre-pack administration deal.
The first Frasers store opened in the UK in April, in Wolverhampton’s Mander Centre.
The firm said the Irish Frasers stores will stock hundreds of brands, across beauty, fashion, accessories and designer childrenswear.
Sports Direct, which is also owned by Frasers Group, will also operate within both stores.
The two new Frasers stores will occupy approximately 150,000sq ft combined.
Frasers Group said it would take a phased opening approach, with Sports Direct set to open later this year, and Frasers set to open early next year.
“These new sites mark as a pivotal moment for the group as we continue to demonstrate our commitment to bricks-and-mortar and prove our investment into major retail destinations and the retail market in Ireland,” Frasers Group head of global leasehold property James France said.
Prior to the debut of Frasers in the UK in April, speculation had been rife that Frasers Group was eyeing up several House of Fraser stores – and other possible locations – to be converted into Frasers, as part of Ashley’s ambitions to turn the department store chain into “the Harrods of the high street”.
Last week, Ashley announced plans to step aside as chief executive of the retail empire he founded nearly 40 years ago.
He will hand over the reins to his prospective son-ln-law Michael Murray.
Ashley would remain on the board as an executive director once the leadership reshuffle is complete in May next year.
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