Screwfix plans to open 10 new stores in Ireland

Screwfix, whose directors have applied for planning permission for a store in Mullingar, is set to open 10 new stores this year across Ireland.

The new stores, that are set to open by the end of January 2021, follow the opening of stores in Sandyford, Swords, Waterford, Ennis, and Kilkenny earlier this year and will create job opportunities across retail management, service assistants and supervisor roles. In tandem with the new Irish openings, Screwfix plans to open 30 new stores in the UK with up to 300 jobs. The rapid growth of Screwfix has seen the trade retailer open at least 50 stores a year in the UK and Ireland for the past decade, making it one of the fastest growing retailers.

John Mewett, Screwfix CEO, said; “Throughout the coronavirus crisis, customer and colleague safety has been our number one priority. I am incredibly proud of all Screwfix colleagues for their support in continuing to provide our customers with the products they need to keep homes warm, safe and with power. The growing demand for convenience means we’re opening more stores to help our busy customers get their jobs done. We know that time is money for our customers and these new stores in the UK and Ireland will not only enable us to provide our customers with added convenience and certainty, but also allow us to provide even more job opportunities for local communities when they need it most.”

The Westmeath Examiner revealed last month, that Mr Mewett and the firm's finance director Max Britten had applied for planning permission for a new store in Mullingar Business Park.

The application lodged by TBP Planning and Development Consultants, seeks permission for the use of property as a warehouse with ancillary trade counters (for the sale of building related products principally to trade).

In the application's cover letter, TBP Planning says that the “primary use of their business premises would be storage of goods with trade counters primarily for pick-up, arising from on-line sales” and “ancillary trade counters aimed at local building companies including what is known as a trade plus counter, aimed at specific trades”.

The store will also serve the general public.

When contacted by the Westmeath Examiner, a spokesperson said: “Screwfix have no further detail at this time.”

The decision due date for the application is September 30.