By Plans to expand the Swedish fashion company H&M’s outlet inside the biggest retail center in the Midlands have been authorized.
The global apparel retailer’s proposals to combine three store locations across two floors in Athlone Town Center were approved by local authority planning chiefs.
Hurley Property ICAV submitted those plans back in March on behalf of the National Property Fund, one of its subfunds.
At the moment, H&M occupies a two-story space inside the biggest mall in the Midlands.
The majority of the suggested changes to the three units had to do with doing internal renovations.
The garment company opened a store earlier this year in Dublin’s renovated Clerys Quarter on O’Connell Street. This was the first step in an ambitious expansion.
The fashion chain officials stated in a planning report prepared by McGill Planning, a Dublin-based consulting firm, that the expansion would have numerous economic benefits for the local business community in Athlone.
An excerpt from the planning file stated, “H&M is one of the few comparison retail businesses actively expanding and opening new stores in Ireland despite the uncertain in-store retail environment post-Covid with online retailing growing exponentially to the detriment of high street stores.”
“To ensure the continued success, vibrancy, and profitability of the Athlone Concentre Shopping Center, it is imperative to facilitate the growth of this long-term tenant for this retail area within Athlone Town Center.”
Westmeath County Council approved the plans in a decision made today, Tuesday, provided three requirements were met.
They stipulated that any shutters must be hidden below the building’s fascia and cannot infringe on a public space.
The council also decided that no merchandise, sandwich boards, or other similar structures could be placed outside the business and that any future occupants of the facility would have to provide written notice to the local government identifying them.
