{{Short description|Irish department store chain, formerly Roches Stores}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=July 2015}} {{Infobox company | type = Subsidiary of Debenhams | traded_as = | predecessor = Roches Stores (1901–2006) | name = Debenhams Ireland | logo = Debenhams logo18.png | logo_caption = | image = Roches Stores.jpg | image_caption = Debenhams in Cork, with Roches Stores name still visible | foundation = 1901 (as Roches Stores)<br />2007 (as Debenhams Ireland) | defunct = {{end date and age|2020|04|9|df=yes}} | founder = William Roche (Roches Stores) | fate = {{flat list| * Liquidation * Closure }} | key_people = Liquidators (KPMG)<br>Kieran Wallace<br>Andrew O’Leary
Directors (Debenhams)<br>Ian Deegan<br>John Bebbington<br>Sinead O’Connor | area_served = Republic of Ireland | owner = Debenhams plc | parent = Debenhams Retail (Ireland) Ltd | location = 54-62 Henry Street, Dublin 1, Republic of Ireland | products = {{hlist|Fashion clothing|toys|gifts|shoes accessories|cosmetics|home furniture|electrical & seasonal}} | revenue = €181 million (2016)<ref name=Pretax>{{cite web |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/debenhams-ireland-upbeat-as-sales-grow-and-loss-narrows-1.2995118|title=Finances|year=2016 |publisher=The Irish Times/Debenhams Ireland|accessdate=3 April 2017}}</ref> | operating_income = €-55.5 million (2016)<ref name=Pretax/> | net_income = €-5.8 million (2016)<ref name=Pretax/> | num_employees = 2,000 (2019) | homepage = [http://www.debenhams.ie/ www.debenhams.ie] }} '''Debenhams Ireland''' was a national chain of department stores in Ireland that was owned ultimately by Debenhams plc. Although Debenhams had a small presence in Ireland since 1996, the chain was largely based on the former Roches Stores, which Debenhams had purchased in 2007, forming Debenhams Ireland.
==History== ===Roches Stores (1901–2007)=== Debenhams Ireland has its origins in Roches Stores, a business founded in Cork in 1901 by William Roche, as a small furniture shop, the chain grew to eleven stores throughout Ireland. At their peak, eight of the locations also had co-located grocery stores.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2005/0201/ireland/roches-stores-to-give-up-grocery-trade-218698012.html|title=Roches Stores to give up grocery trade|date=1 February 2005|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=29 April 2020|archive-date=2 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102002856/http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2005/0201/ireland/roches-stores-to-give-up-grocery-trade-218698012.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Roches Stores began to exit the grocery trade in 1999, leasing its stores to SuperValu,<ref>{{cite web|author=Brendan Mcgrath |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/roches-stores-links-up-with-musgrave-s-supervalu-chain-1.194245 |title=Roches Stores links up with Musgrave's Supervalu chain |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=1998-09-17 |accessdate=2020-04-29}}</ref> although some of these stores closed after mere months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/three-supervalus-at-roches-stores-to-close-26015069.html|title=Three SuperValus at Roches Stores to close|website=independent}}</ref> In October 2007, Roches Stores ceased operating.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/cork-s-roches-stores-veterans-recall-shop-that-stocked-everything-1.2656558|title=Cork's Roches Stores veterans recall shop that 'stocked everything'|publisher=Irish Times|date=21 May 2016|accessdate=9 April 2020}}</ref>
===Debenhams (1996–2007)=== The UK operations of Debenhams entered the Republic of Ireland as an opening anchor of the Jervis Shopping Centre in 1996,<ref>{{cite web|author=Siobhan Creaton |url=https://irishtimes.com/business/uk-outlets-in-a-rush-to-set-up-shop-1.119276 |title=UK outlets in a rush to set up shop |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=1996-12-27 |accessdate=2020-04-09}}</ref> with a second store an opening anchor at Mahon Point Shopping Centre in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/230m-mahon-point-centre-opens-in-cork-1.411407 |title=€230m Mahon Point centre opens in Cork |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=2005-02-02 |accessdate=2020-04-09}}</ref>
===Debenhams Ireland (2007–2020)=== On 8 August 2006, it was announced that Debenhams would buy the leaseholds of nine of the 11 Roches Stores for €29 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Debenhams beefs up Irish presence |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5256558.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=8 August 2006 |access-date=12 August 2013}}</ref> Under the deal, the stores, including those in St. Patrick's Street in Cork and Henry Street in Dublin would be rebranded as Debenhams stores. The Roche family retained the ownership of the stores, and Debenhams became the new tenants. Marks & Spencer had agreed to acquire the company's Wilton outlet in Cork; however that deal later fell through due to a dispute over rent with the owners of the centre.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fears for jobs at Roches Stores in Cork |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/business/2006/1002/80981-roches/ |publisher=RTÉ News |date=26 January 2007 |accessdate=12 August 2013}}</ref> The eleventh store, in Dublin's Nutgrove Shopping Centre, was closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/roches-sells-retail-arm-for-29m-10341.html|title=Roches sells retail arm for €29m|date=8 September 2006|website=www.irishexaminer.com}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Due to poor sales, Debenhams Retail (Ireland) announced in January 2010 that it would cut 170 jobs within its Republic of Ireland stores.<ref>[http://www.independent.ie/national-news/320-jobs-to-go-as-staff-at-retailer-and-airline-face-axe-2026615.html 320 jobs to go as staff at retailer and airline face axe] Independent.ie</ref>
In November 2010 Debenhams launched Debenhams.ie, the retailer's new Irish online store.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/debenhams-goes-digital-with-the-launch-of-debenhamsie-106761468.html|title=Debenhams goes digital with the launch of Debenhams.ie|publisher=PR Newswire|accessdate=9 April 2020}}</ref>
On 12 May 2016 Debenhams Ireland filed for examinership (analogous to the US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection process), which it exited successfully on 19 August 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/business/debenhams-applies-for-examinership-to-restructure-its-business-in-ireland-735028.html|title=Debenhams applies for examinership to restructure its business in Ireland|date=12 May 2016|website=Breaking News}}</ref>
On 9 April 2019, the parent company based in the UK announced that it had gone into pre-pack administration.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/apr/09/debenhams-is-taken-over-by-lenders-mike-ashley-loses-sta|title=Debenhams is taken over by lenders as Mike Ashley loses £150m stake|last=Butler|first=Sarah|date=9 April 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=9 April 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> On 26 April 2019, Debenhams Ireland confirmed to customers it was under a 'new management structure'<ref>{{cite web|author=Mark Paul |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/retail-and-services/business-as-usual-at-irish-debenhams-as-group-up-for-sale-1.3854955 |title='Business as usual' at Irish Debenhams as group up for sale |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=2019-04-10 |accessdate=2020-04-09}}</ref> and the company Debenhams Ireland Ltd (including Northern Ireland stores) would not be affected by the administration process taking place in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/debenhams-4583214-Apr2019/ |title=Debenhams Ireland reassures staff and customers as UK store enters administration |publisher=Thejournal.ie |date=2019-04-09 |accessdate=2020-04-09}}</ref> The only Republic of Ireland locations of Patisserie Valerie were concessions located in Debenhams branches, and these closed when the parent chain entered administration.<ref>{{cite web|author=Peter Hamilton |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/agribusiness-and-food/patisserie-valerie-s-two-irish-stores-closed-after-significant-fraud-1.3767850 |title=Patisserie Valerie's two Irish stores closed after 'significant fraud' |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=2019-01-23 |accessdate=2020-04-09}}</ref>
The parent company (Debenhams plc) went into administration once again on 6 April 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/56767546-677f-45e1-a85f-011da4fe10ee|title=Debenhams files for administration|newspaper= Financial Times|date=6 April 2020|accessdate=9 April 2020|last1=Eley|first1=Jonathan}}</ref> On 9 April 2020, Debenhams Ireland confirmed to its employees that the company would no longer operate in the Republic of Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/jobs/debenhams-heading-into-liquidation-with-11-irish-stores-to-remain-closed-after-covid-19-lockdown-39116499.html|title=Coronavirus Ireland: Debenhams heading into liquidation with 11 Irish stores to remain closed after Covid-19 lockdown|website=independent}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/0409/1129586-debenhams-pulling-out-of-ireland/ |title=Debenhams to put Irish operations into liquidation |publisher=RTÉ.ie |date= 9 April 2020|accessdate=2020-04-09|last1=Goodbody |first1=Will }}</ref> It said that stores would not reopen following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions placed by the Government of Ireland due to the impending uncertain economic conditions faced in Ireland. The company would file for liquidation during the week beginning 13 April 2020. Despite efforts to save Debenhams in Ireland in 2016, by separating Debenhams in the UK from Debenhams in Ireland, efforts to retain the Irish business had been unsuccessful. The closure of the stores in Ireland resulted in the loss of 1,400 direct jobs and a further 700 concession related jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fm104.ie/news/fm104-news/debenhams-pull-the-plug-in-ireland/|title=Debenhams pull the plug in Ireland|website=FM104}}</ref> The debenhams.ie website continued to trade until December 2020 when the company suspended it due to uncertainties over brexit and trade rules.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ganly |first1=Conor |title=Brexit uncertainty halts deliveries to Ireland from big UK chain |url=https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/news/596962/brexit-uncertainty-halts-deliveries-to-ireland-from-big-uk-chain.html |access-date=22 December 2020 |work=Leinster Express |date=18 December 2020}}</ref>
==Closure of stores== In April 2020, with the parent company going into administration, it was announced that Debenhams Ireland stores—which were already temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic—would be permanently closed.<ref>{{cite web|author=Zoe Wood |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/apr/09/debenhams-appoints-administrators-and-liquidates-irish-chain |title=Debenhams appoints administrators and liquidates Irish chain |work=The Guardian |date=9 April 2020 |accessdate=2020-04-09}}</ref>
Stores permanently closed include: * Blackrock (Dublin) (formerly Roches Stores Blackrock) * Blanchardstown (formerly Roches Stores Blanchardstown) * Cork (Mahon Point) * Cork (St. Patrick's Street) (formerly Roches Stores Cork) * Dublin (Henry Street) (formerly Roches Stores Dublin) * Galway (formerly Roches Stores Galway) * Limerick (formerly Roches Stores Limerick) * Newbridge * Tallaght (formerly Roches Stores Tallaght) * Tralee (formerly Roches Stores Tralee) * Waterford (formerly Roches Stores Waterford)
The oldest store, in Cork's St Patrick's Street, had been trading in that location for over 100 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.finfacts.ie/irishfinancenews/Roches_Stores_to_quit_food_retailing_307.shtml |title=Roches Stores to quit food retailing |publisher=Finfacts.ie |date= |accessdate=2020-04-29}}</ref>
Since the closures in April, workers have protested and prevented stock from being removed from all of the 11 stores, for last 400 plus days, as of May 2021, in order to secure 2+2 collectively agreed redundancy payments.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.limerickleader.ie/video/news/569149/watch-former-debenhams-workers-vow-to-continue-round-the-clock-pickets-going-at-limerick-store.html |title=WATCH: Former Debenhams workers vow to continue round-the-clock pickets going at Limerick store |website=LimerickLeader.ie}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/debenhams-workers-cork-brave-storm-18799073 |title=Debenhams staff in Cork brave Storm Ellen to avoid stock being taken from store |first=Olivia |last=Kelleher |date=20 August 2020 |website=Cork Beo}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0818/1159835-debenhams/ |title=Former Debenhams workers protest at KPMG in Cork |first=Jennie |last=O'Sullivan |date=18 August 2020 |via=RTÉ.ie}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2020-07-22/29|title=Debenhams Ireland Redundancies: Motion [Private Members] – Dáil Éireann (33rd Dáil) – Wednesday, 22 Jul 2020 – Houses of the Oireachtas|first=Houses of the|last=Oireachtas|date=22 July 2020|website=www.oireachtas.ie}}</ref>
==References== <references />
==External links== * {{official website|http://www.debenhams.ie/}} * [http://www.debenhamsplc.com/ Debenhams plc]
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Category:Debenhams Category:Department stores of Ireland Category:Retail companies established in 1996 Category:Retail companies disestablished in 2020 Category:Companies based in Dublin (city) Category:1996 establishments in Ireland Category:2020 disestablishments in Ireland