Retail&Leisure: Work has just begun on developing a large factory outlet complex located on a slipway off the M7 motorway beside Kildare town. The development is to have 53 'tourist retail outlets', writes Jack Fagan
A new designer fashion outlet aimed at shoppers from Dublin and the midlands is to open early next year beside Kildare town, about 35 miles from the capital.
A UK property group has just begun development work on the 7,990sq m (86,000sq ft) complex which will have 53 so-called "tourist retail outlets" selling out-of-season and end-of-line merchandise from high-profile brands.
The centre will be located along the Kildare town slipway off the M7 motorway.
It will be only a few hundred yards from the town centre and within little more than half an hour's drive of Dublin in light traffic.
The centre is likely to accentuate the problems facing the factory outlet at Rathdowney, Co Laois, which has failed to make much impact because of its distance from centres with a large population.
The only other factory outlet complex in the State is in Killarney and it has also been struggling since it was opened by Green Property.
Kildare County Council granted planning permission for the factory outlet at Grey Abbey Road in Kildare town over a year ago even though An Bord Pleanála had previously overruled a decision for a similar facility at Goffs near Kill on the grounds that it would lead to congestion on the motorway.
There have also been reports that a further planning application will be made for that scheme once work on the upgrading of the motorway between the city and Naas is completed some time next year.
The Kildare town fashion outlet will have a mix of small and large retail units ranging from 83sq m ((893sq ft) up to 756sq m (8,137sq ft).
Tenants are likely to pay a base rent as well as a percentage of the turnover to secure space in the scheme.
Although factory outlet shopping has been one of the fastest growing sectors of the British and US retail markets, Irish planning authorities have been reluctant to endorse the concept, usually citing the inadequacy of the roads as a reason for refusing planning permission.
However, with many of the major roads now being upgraded in the State, planners will find it increasingly difficult to refuse permission for factory outlets.
Louth Co Council has already granted permission for a similar scheme near Ballymascanlon, close to the border with Northern Ireland.
A similar development to be known as The Outlet is planned for a site close by on the opposite side of the Border.
It will be only 20 miles from Dundalk.
