H&M is to open its first flagship store in Dublin city centre at the city's ILAC mall.

The Swedish retailer has signed a 25-year lease on a 14,000 sq ft (1,300 sq m) two-level store, with frontages into the mall and onto Mary Street.

ILAC owners British Land and Irish Life will be extending the former Eason's unit to accommodate H&M. Construction will begin in the next few weeks, and the store will open next autumn.

British Land director Merrick Marshall said: 'H&M's broad fashion range will act as a tremendous attraction for the ILAC Centre and will complement the line-up in Henry Street and Mary Street.'

Firmount acts as asset manager at the mall. Palmer McCormack was the letting agent and Hamilton Osborne King acted for H&M.