Council to seek expressions of interest in large tract of land
EXPRESSIONS of interest in a prime city centre site are to be sought by City Council, which could result in the long awaited arrival of Marks & Spencer.
It is understood that M&S are part of current negotiations, as are the Roche Group, which has leased its former Roches Stores premises to Debenhams.
The area involved includes Sarsfield Street, lower O’Connell Street and Liddy Street, as well as the vacated Dunnes Stores site and a section of Arthur’s Quay Park.
An impeccable source has confirmed to the Limerick Post that although the council will officially advertise for expressions of interest, “there really is only one gig in town, and that is the developer, Michael Tiernan.”
It has also been confirmed that a prominent Limerick city business woman is involved.
Some years ago, the Limerick Post exclusively revealed Mr Tiernan’s plan to demolish the aforementioned city centre block.
The proposed development, put on hold when the Opera Centre was approved, is now, according to reliable sources, “ready to roll.”
Marks and Spencer are being sought as anchor tenant, and serious talks are taking place.
“The area is ripe for development and there is no impediment to the title, if approval is given by the Department of the Marine,” the Limerick Post was told
Shortly before going to press, this newspaper was informed that Mr Tiernan, brother-in-law of accountant Gerry Boland, closely associated with JP McManus, is also keen to purchase the Opera Centre, which would be a welcome development for the council.
Another source told the Limerick Post: “Mr Tiernan, who developed the Arthur’s Quay Shopping Centre, would ideally like to attract M&S to the city.
“Such a move would gain the goodwill of the council, which would have reservations about any possible entry of M&S into Arthur’s Quay Park, a proposal which had been put on the table”.
