Jessops signs first store in Irish Republic

Jessops has secured its first store in the Republic of Ireland, on Dublin's prestigious Grafton Street.

The retailer is reportedly paying EUR265,000 (£179,385) a year for a vacant unit at 111 Grafton Street, equivalent to EUR423 (£286 per sq ft).

CB Richard Ellis Gunne and Hamilton Osborne King were joint letting agents for the property, which attracted keen interest from both domestic and international retailers, including pharmacy, mobile phone and food operators.

The 3,995 sq ft (370 sq m) property was formerly occupied by Marlborough Recruitment, which went into receivership in 2001.

It provides a 1,075 sq ft (100 sq m) ground-floor sales area, basement and additional space on four upper floors.

Planning permission has been granted recently for internal and external alterations. The building was acquired by the Clarendon Group, following the failure of Marlborough Recruitment.

The photographic retailer operates 250 stores across the UK and Europe.

It has six stores in Northern Ireland. Additional stores are being sought in the Republic.