Natrium, the company who have just took ownership of Clery’s have broken their silence today by releasing a statement promising to “significantly invest” in revamping the store.
The company, which has been subject to bad press this week due to protests regarding the treatment of staff at the landmark store, says it will deliver “a best in class, mixed use destination” which will include a potential rejuvenation of O’Connell Street.
Natrium also promised to create a 1,000 new jobs through the planning and development of the store with a minimum of 1700 to be created once the project has been completed. However they did not disclose the fate of the former staff, 500 of whom lost their jobs with no prior notice.
A Natrium spokesman stated that they “are conscious that the necessary closure of the department store has had a very serious impact on the former employees” but went on to stress a refurbished department store offered a valuable opportunity for the Northside of the city.
He also said: “The Clerys building can be transformed to create a major new mixed use destination in Dublin City centre and to create large numbers of sustainable jobs. There is strong demand from international retailers and other commercial users for unique and best in class spaces within the city centre that is not currently being met.”
Former staff were officially informed last Friday that they had lost their jobs after the sale of the store to Natrium went through, There was 130 staff employed directly by the company with a further 300 working in the concession stores.
The site of the iconic store has been the subject to protests by former staff and members of the public since the store ceased trading last Friday