Gap coming to Cork

JP Liz

In a deal confirmed just this week by O’Callaghan Properties, Gap is taking almost 10,000 sq ft of space on Opera Lane.

TOP US retailer Gap is to fill a sizeable gap in Cork city’s Opera Lane retail development. The major fashion chain catering for adults, children and baby wear is taking almost 10,000 sq ft of space onto the newly-created retail street Opera Lane itself (previously Faulkener’s Lane).

The deal was confirmed this week by O’Callaghan Properties, but they declined to comment on suggestions that New Look was also set to join the line-up: that company this week published a planning notice regarding signage, etc for one of the units, but no deal has yet been agreed, says sources within letting agents Savills. Should New Look satisfactorily complete talks and sign up, they are in line for a large unit, of more than 20,000 sq ft, it is understood. Meanwhile, Gap’s announcement will come as yet further strong validation of the Opera Lane development’s location and draw, says Lydia Kelleher of Savills, who pursued the US chain Gap over the past 18 months and who nurtured the eventual deal.

It is thought that Gap is paying one of the stronger rents in the scheme, which has 200,000 sq ft of retail and 61 apartments: while initial rents quoted were in line with the 5,000 per square metre threshold set several years ago on Patrick Street in the city, deals at Opera Lane are more likely to be coming in at or around the 4,000 psm figure, with incentives like fit-out contributions and generous rent-free periods as well.

Cork will be Gap’s second shop in Ireland, its first being in Dundrum Town Centre.

“Although there is a Gap franchise in Ireland, the Cork store will be the second only standalone store in Ireland,” says Ms Kelleher.

The San Francisco-based retail giant has more than 3,000 stores worldwide and employs more than 134,000. It specialises in clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women and children under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta brand names. “Gap joins other retail giants, Next, H&M, and Top Shop, who are also bound for Opera Lane and these will be joined by several others whose identities will be announced in the coming weeks,” added Ms Kelleher.

The first stores are due to open in October, with a rolling schedule of other signings and openings through and beyond December. The opening come on the back of this month’s completed new Dunnes Stores landmark building on Patrick Street, which has already increased retail footfall in the city centre.

O'Callaghan Properties' managing director, Owen O’Callaghan said that Gap’s arrival “really adds to the retail offer in Cork. It is a huge international brand and its arrival in Cork reflects Gap’s confidence in the city and the region. Obviously, it's great news for Opera Lane but also for the retail sector in the city generally.”

Boots is set to be a major presence with up to 40,000 sq ft (gross) to open at the adjacent Half Moon Street project, to have 100,000 sq ft of retail and 28,000 sq of office space. According to OCP, about 1,800 full-time and part-time jobs will be created within the retail and office complexes.

Corcaigh84

Well it'll fill a gap in the market anyway.

Awful puns aside, I'll probably have a lamp in there once it opens. Haven't been in Dunnes on Pana either since the days you could get a pint of milk and a freshly made hangover pizza for under a fiver

Vinta81

Yay!

simu

Oh cool. They do nice stuff from what I've seen.

Dankoozy

Yo! Got myself a fanny pack
they were having a sale down at the GAP
Spend my nights with a roll of bubble wrap
POP POP! Hope no one sees me get freaky

scaryfairy

Finally!!!

PipeDreams

YAY

suppafly

Is there stuff like American Eagle?

minidazzler

I already applied for a job there, I really need one:(

baileyjackson

they have gap signs above the doors already. you can see it down the lane from patricks street. where did u apply? online?

Dolphins

Yes you can apply online. I saw it advertised on www.inretail.co.uk (just put in 'Cork' as your keyword). I think it will just bring you to their website

Flamed Diving

Cool.

hatetherain!

Gap...cant wait!:)

BarneyMagee

The Echo is mentioning that Tommy Hilfiger are thinking about opening up there too.

simu

BarneyMagee wrote: »

The Echo is mentioning that Tommy Hilfiger are thinking about opening up there too.

We're getting fierce fancy.

It's funny how all this stuff is coming to Cork after the death of the Celtic Tiger.

PipeDreams

Walked up the new shopping lane today, and was delighted to see that the GAP sings are already being displayed on their entrance

twiggy mac

I got an interview there for tomorrow!!:):D

baileyjackson

not heard anything back yet myself about interviews/

how did it go? where were they held? many ppl there?

Fingers crossed for you!!

minidazzler

twiggy mac wrote: »

I got an interview there for tomorrow!!:):D

How long did it take for them to get back to you after you applied online?

Vinta81

I had my interview on Fri. Applied last Sat, they rang me the Tues. She said they were in-undated with applications though, talking about they couldn't get through them all

murphym7

simu wrote: »

We're getting fierce fancy.

It's funny how all this stuff is coming to Cork after the death of the Celtic Tiger.

I think Tommy is here already.

Dankoozy

Vinta81 wrote: »

I had my interview on Fri. Applied last Sat, they rang me the Tues. She said they were in-undated with applications though, talking about they couldn't get through them all

You have to be fluent in Javascript as well as Klingon

Skud

murphym7 wrote: »

I think Tommy is here already.

tommy on oliver plunket street

minidazzler

Vinta81 wrote: »

I had my interview on Fri. Applied last Sat, they rang me the Tues. She said they were in-undated with applications though, talking about they couldn't get through them all

Damn, that means they will only take people with some semblance of style.

Looks like i'm out of the running, you too vinta (I don't know how you dress or how you look, but a girl on the internet you have to look odd:P)

tailgunner

Vinta81 wrote: »

I had my interview on Fri. Applied last Sat, they rang me the Tues. She said they were in-undated with applications though, talking about they couldn't get through them all

How did the interview go for you? Anything to watch out for?

Best of luck anyway!

Vinta81

I got the jobbbbbbbbb Holla

Dankoozy

Vinta81 wrote: »

I got the jobbbbbbbbb Holla

*is happy for you*

Vinta81

Dankoozy wrote: »

*is happy for you*

Thank you Daniel

baileyjackson

Vinta, sorry to pry. Interview with them this friday.
Any tips? many there for it? nerves?

Hogzy

BarneyMagee wrote: »

The Echo is mentioning that Tommy Hilfiger are thinking about opening up there too.

Tommy Hilfiger are already on Oliver Plunkett St, and have been for quite some time... Its a CRAP shop!


Edit: Just saw similar post above. Mods can delete this!!!!!!!!

PipeDreams

I know someone who got a job in GAP too, so great news all around.

Now if they only hurry up and open, I've clothes to buy!