End of an era as historic Haddens Centre in Carlow goes up for sale
After 116 years, it looks like the end of an era for Haddens
ONE of Carlow’s longest established and most well-known shops has just been put up for sale, marking the end of an era in retail history.
Haddens Centre on Tullow Street in Carlow town centre was established by the Hadden family in 1909. The centre holds many fond memories for the people of Co Carlow and beyond, with generations of families shopping there.
The centre is owned by the Shaw family, who bought it in 1976 but decided to keep the Haddens name on the shop front. The Shaws own a chain of 15 stores nationwide, including the iconic shop just doors away from Haddens. A spokesperson for the company told that there would be no job losses with the sale of the building and that the staff of Haddens will transfer to work in Shaws when the building is sold.
“The staff will be transferred to work in Shaws. They’re fine with it – their jobs are safe,” said the spokesperson.
Carlow Chamber of Commerce CEO Nicola Doran said that it’s the end of an era but is optimistic that the right buyer will come forward, especially at a time when substantial improvements are being carried out in the town centre.
“The Haddens Centre has been at the heart of Carlow town for many years, with a rich retail history and provenance on Tullow Street. Seeing the property now on the market marks the end of an era. As a chamber, our hope is that this key location will attract new retail owners who can breathe fresh life into this versatile building that holds so many memories for Carlovians.
“The timing for any new investor could be good, considering the recent improvements to the town and upcoming improvements to Carlow under the URDF funding. This, coupled with population growth and the fact that Carlow is a university town, all make for a very strong offering.”
The substantial building, in a prime location in Carlow town centre, is spread over three floors. Most of the building is occupied by Haddens, although there are some tenants, such as Paddy Power, Regatta, a café and an art gallery called Made in Carlow.
On Daft.ie, the premises is described as ‘primarily retail, with office space located at first floor level. The centre benefits from an escalator, excellent accessibility, and convenient on-site surface car parking (pay and display). The car park is not included in the sale. The property offers excellent short-term income from existing tenancies, while also presenting a unique opportunity to significantly reconfigure, redevelop or actively manage the asset’.
Haddens is accessible from both Tullow Street and Kennedy Avenue and has an escalator that runs from the basement onto the ground floor. Many people use that route to access Tullow Street from the car park at the back of the building.
Maurice O’Reilly, who runs the Made in Carlow gallery, said that he wasn’t surprised when he heard that the building was up for sale.
“It didn’t really surprise me because Shaws can consolidate their business into one building now. Everyone is shopping online, unfortunately – that’s the way things have gone. Shaws Department Store has services like a hair salon and a make-up salon, things that you can’t buy online so that works for them: it brings people into their shop,” said Maurice.
He also pointed out that if the new owners change their building and get rid of the escalator, it would have an impact on businesses on Tullow Street.
The spokesperson for the company said that he would like the building to continue as a retail unit as “the more retailers on the street, the better it is for everyone”.
In its heyday, Haddens was a main player in the retail sector in Co Carlow and even ran an apprenticeship programme to train young people. Since its foundation in 1909, the store has undergone many transformations, including being destroyed in a massive fire in 1984. Undaunted, the Shaw family rebuilt it, and it has continued until today.
Now, after 116 years, it looks like the end of an era for Haddens with its impending sale.
