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Shoppers on Cork’s main shopping street have been told a long-standing store will shut its doors within weeks, prompting disappointment among local customers. The closure, and a closing-down sale that has already begun, affects a retailer that has served St Patrick’s Street for about a decade.
End of an era on St Patrick’s Street
Flying Tiger Copenhagen, the Danish homewares and gift chain, will close its St Patrick’s Street shop on 7 November. The company has opened a closing-down sale at the site ahead of the final day.
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Customers who bought crafts, decorations and small household items at the store expressed regret at the news. The chain’s presence had become familiar to both residents and visitors since it first opened on the street nearly ten years ago.
Company statement and other Cork locations
A spokesperson for the retailer confirmed the Cork City branch is closing and said the move follows another business taking over the unit. In a statement the company said: “On the 7th November, the Flying Tiger Copenhagen store located in Cork City will sadly close. This is due to another retailer taking over the unit and expanding.”
The company added that the decision was not voluntary and thanked staff and customers for their support. It reminded shoppers that the nearest physical outlet remains at Mahon Point Shopping Centre and that products are also available online at flyingtiger.com.
Brand background and recent changes
Originally starting as a market stall in Denmark, the brand developed into a global retail concept in 1995. It now trades in more than 40 countries and runs over 1,000 stores worldwide.
This year, the company was acquired by UK investment firm Modella Capital, a deal that is reported to have led to organisational changes across the business.
Shifts on Cork’s shopping strip
The Flying Tiger announcement follows separate news that high-end fashion retailer Flannels will also leave St Patrick’s Street. The Cork Flannels store — the retailer’s first outside Dublin — is slated to close after Christmas, with the chain also planning to shut its Blanchardstown location.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring Penneys store plans to proceed with a major redevelopment of its flagship Cork premises despite the departures next door. The project reportedly includes refurbishing the existing building and extending into adjacent empty units on the street.
