Bargain hunters queue in the rain as New Look Carlow closes 

THERE were queues of shoppers outside the New Look store in Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow all day on Sunday for the first day of clothing chain’s liquidation sale.

The UK-based company announced that it was pulling out of the Irish market on Thursday because it said it sustained years of losses here. The High Court appointed liquidators from KPMG to oversee the process of shutting down the business. In Carlow, it’s believed that up to 12 jobs, including part-time staff, will be lost. The fashion outlet in Fairgreen Shopping Centre has been there since the building opened in late 2005.

The Carlow-based shop was closed on Friday and Saturday in preparation for Sunday’s liquidation sale and hundreds of customers were keen to take advantage of the cut-price bargains.

“The car park was busy from 8.30am onwards, with the shop due to be opened at 12pm but, on advice, they opened at 11am instead. At four o’clock that afternoon, there were still queues outside. It was very busy all day,” said John Brophy, manager of Fairgreen Shopping Centre.

It's expected that the stock will be sold out by Wednesday, with the store closing its doors for good after that. Mr Brophy said he was “surprised” by the news of New Look’s closure as there had been no indication that the company was in trouble.

“There was no particular indication that they were in difficulty as we had no prior contact from them. I’d say I was surprised, but not shocked. They’ve been here since late 2005, when that block, Phase 2 of the shopping centre, opened. Yes (it’s a loss), we’re used to being fully let in the Fairgreen so any gap will need to be filled. New Look brought a certain customer, but we’re well covered for fashion here in Fairgreen,” continued Mr Brophy.

Shoppers in Ireland can continue to access New Look’s collections through ASOS and Very.