The developer of Dublin’s new Clerys Quarter was asked how his company intends to “deliver on its promise” that former department store workers will be given preferential employment opportunities.
abour Sen. Marie Sherlock and council members including Joe Costello and Alison Gilliland wrote to Core Capital chief executive Derek McGrath to say they were disappointed with “the failure” to appoint a liaison officer to secure a deal agreed in 2017 to comply with
The letter said they welcome the reopening of the building and hope it can play an important role in the rejuvenation of O’Connell Street.
They anticipate that all of the retail units in the development are now leased and these stores will be operational by the end of next month or early April.
Fashion giant H&M and UK retailer Flannels will trade in the revamped store.
“In these circumstances we would like to remind you of the terms of the agreement reached by the developers of Clerys, unions and local community organisations, of which the Lord Mayor and Dublin City Council were given a supervisory role,” the letter of Friday said A copy of the agreement was attached.
The agreement was reached in 2017 after a campaign by Clerys workers after the store closed in 2015 at the loss of 460 jobs.
“We particularly look forward to hearing how your company intends to deliver on the promise of preferential treatment for inner city residents in general and former Clerys workers in particular in hiring companies in the new development,” it said.
“We note with disappointment that there has been a failure to appoint a liaison officer to work to ensure that this deal is honored earlier in the process, but hope this can now be rectified for the benefit of all involved.”
City councilors requested a meeting with the developer to find out about progress.
They were looking for information on building a “beneficial relationship between the local community and your business aimed at fulfilling the obligations of the Clerys deal.”
“We believe that the development of the Clerys Quarter should not only be good news in terms of commercial development of the O’Connell Street area, but should also result in social benefits for the surrounding communities and the wider Dublin public,” say they added.
The letter was signed by Mrs Sherlock and Councilors Mr Costello, Declan Meenagh, Mrs Gilliland, Jane Horgan Jones, Mary Freehill, Dermot Lacey, Darragh Moriarty and Kevin Donoghue
A spokesman for the developer has not responded to a request as to whether it has acted on pledges regarding the employment of local people and those who have lost their jobs.
The new Clerys Quarter will include offices, a rooftop restaurant, bar and dining options.
