Scale, range and quality featured heavily among the initial reactions of the first customers to cross the threshold of Mr Price’s new store at the Carlow Shopping Centre this afternoon.
“It takes quite a while to get around the whole shop,” one customer told KCLR News minutes after the ribbon to officially open the store was cut by Mayor of Carlow, Cllr Paul Doogue (FG). “There’s just row after row of stuff here. It’s brilliant to have something like this in here again. Hopefully other businesses might be encouraged to open up in here too on the back of this.”
The new store in Carlow is the Irish discount retailer’s biggest ever shop, stocking branded bargains, party supplies, stationery, back-to-school essentials, toys and so much more.
“I came in for a mop head, and I’m going home with a full basket,” said another happy shopper as the queues for the tills mirrored the lengthy queue that had formed outside the store prior to its opening.
The opening has led to the relocation of the Hanover Square store to the larger Carlow Shopping Centre unit, providing a welcome boost to employment in the town centre, injecting fresh business and footfall into the previously vacant retail unit.
“This fantastic building has been empty for a number of years so to have Mr Price opening this store, right in the heart of the town, is something that people in Carlow and its surrounding areas, are absolutely thrilled about,” said Mayor Doogue.
“This is a 100 per cent Irish-owned business demonstrating great faith in Carlow. It’s going to create additional employment and I’ve also been assured that there are being moves made to get a restaurant into the Carlow Shopping Centre as well, which would be another fantastic boost.”
Store Manager Sean Caven was naturally thrilled with the new store’s opening hours of custom. “It’s been an absolutely brilliant start for us and I’m thrilled for all the staff who have worked so hard to have the store looking so well prior to our first customers entering the store at midday. We’re looking forward to bedding into this new unit and I’d just like to thank everyone who has helped to make today so special.”
KCLR News sought out the views of the new store’s first customers just minutes after the ribbon was cut.
Store Manager Sean Caven spoke to KCLR News on a huge day for the fully-owned Irish company.
Mayor of Carlow, Cllr Paul Doogue, chatted to KCLR News moments after he cut the ribbon to officially open the new outlet.
