By Sean Moriarty

After weeks of speculation it has been confirmed that the Nike Factory Store will cease trading at the Killarney Outlet Centre - resulting in the loss of many jobs.

The sports goods company, who have been the anchor tenant at the centre for nearly 23 years, will be shutting up shop on March 5. Management at Killarney Outlet Centre say they are now “actively looking to find new and exciting retailers” following the store's announcement.

Centre manager Paul Sherry said the decision to close the store “is a matter for Nike” and that he will be sorry to see them go.

“Sadly, part of life as a shopping centre operator is that tenants come and tenants go. From our perspective, we are very disappointed to see Nike Factory Store come to the end of its occupation here and, as always, we are actively looking to finding new and exciting retailers for the centre,” Mr Sherry told the Killarney Advertiser.

It has not been confirmed how many jobs have been lost as a result of the closure.

“It is a really sad day for those who will be losing their jobs as a consequence, some of whom have worked here with us for over 20 years,” added Mr Sherry.

“[The Nike Factory Store] has helped hundreds of families and students to fund themselves whilst in third-level education and it has provided a steady income for many homes and families for almost 23 years.”

Nike is the second major sports store to close in Killarney in recent years. Lifestyle Sports never re-opened its Killarney branch following the first pandemic-related lockdown.