Dunnes refuse to budge on entrance closure

The closure of the main entrance to Dunnes Stores on Edward Square is currently being examined by legal experts to see if it is in breach of contract agreements.

The Irish supermarket chain has refused to budge on its decision nearly three weeks ago to close the vital entrance into the city’s biggest shopping centre after losing a court battle over unpaid rent.

Camiveo, controlled by Dublin-based investment firm Signature Capital, purchased the Edward Square retail complex for around €27 million in 2013 and is thought to have paid over €23m last year for the adjoining Eyre Square centre.

The manager of the Eyre Square Shopping Centre, Avril Smith, said no communication has been received from Dunnes Stores in relation to the door closure despite several attempts to discuss the matter.

“We are still looking at it. It’s with legal at the minute. The [Eyre Square] centre has probably benefited by people not going out at Edward Square, but traders on Edward Square are suffering,” she remarked.

Although it must be affecting its own trade, Dunnes stated that it had closed the doors for “operational reasons”.

Last May, Dunnes Stores lost its Supreme Court appeal over an order to pay €1.13m in unpaid rent and service charges to the new owners.

Dunnes had unsuccessfully argued that Camiveo had not been officially registered as the owner and was not entitled to enforce the lease until that happened.