Portlaoise Penneys gets approval for big expansion

PENNEYS has received a green light to expand its retail outlet in Portlaoise, which will see the store almost double in size.

The retail giant has received planning permission to expand into two neighbouring vacant units in Laois Shopping Centre, bringing the floor space from 1,456 m² to about 2,874 m².

It is the third time Penneys has been granted permission to extend the store and shoppers are hopeful that it will be third time lucky. The small Portlaoise store has come under regular criticism for its limited stock and cramped layout, particularly in comparison to large branches in neighbouring counties such as Kilkenny and Carlow.

Laois County Council has placed a time limit of December 2027 for completion of the project, five years from the last time the expansion was approved in 2022. 

There were no public submissions on the planning application, which is expected to double the number of staff at the Portlaoise store.

The store’s expansion into units 24 and 132 will involve internal alterations that include reconfiguration of the sales floor, expansion of the stockroom and upgrading of staff facilities such as offices, changing rooms, toilets and a canteen.

New emergency exits will be constructed and existing door openings will be widened or blocked up as necessary, to comply with fire safety regulations. A new external plant enclosure will be installed at roof level, to support expanded services for the larger outlet.

There will also be new branded signage as part of the expansion, including white LED illuminated ‘Penneys’ letters.

Planning permission for an extension to the Portlaoise outlet was first granted in 2020 but was delayed due to the covid pandemic. At the time, the company said expansion would be completed within nine months and that the store would remain open throughout the construction works.