Kilkenny comes to Trim in big boost to local retail offering

Trim is welcoming a big-name business this morning (Wednesday) as the Kilkenny Group opens a store in the historic town. The group, which now operates seven high-profile stores nationwide, said it has been looking at locations for the last six months for one of its iconic Kilkenny Shops and that Trim fitted the bill. The new 1,400sq ft store will be in the retail section of Trim Castle Hotel formerly occupied by the Carique accessories store. "Kilkenny have been looking for new store opportunities over the past six months," said Kilkenny Group marketing manager Greg O'Gorman this week. "Trim Castle Hotel is a very well-recognised and respected business and we are delighted to be associated with them." He praised the "historical nature of the town, such as the Jonathan Swift connection" and said it was ideally located in Meath and "45 minutes from Dublin where we have our flagstore". He added: "David O'Brien (Trim Castle Hotel owner) made the initial contact with myself regarding the opportunity. I visited the site within two days and negotiations began almost immediately," Mr O'Gorman recalled. "We initially intend to employ one or two full-time and four part-time people. Kilkenny are delighted to have recruited 25 new staff in the past two months and another new store is opening in the next four to six weeks in Dublin," he said. The store will have dual access from the street and from inside the hotel foyer and will bring brands like Orla Kiely, Guess, Pilgrim, Fossil, Mischa Barton, Waterford Crystal, Newbridge, John Rocha and Swarovski to the town. The Kilkenny Shop will also offer ladies accessoriess, bags, jewellery, homewares, gifts, crystal, books and prints. The brand new store will be officially launched on Tuesday 20th September, though it will open to customers from today (Wednesday 7th September). "We would like to invite all readers of the Meath Chronicle to the opening," Mr O'Gorman said. "There are great prizes to be won on the day and there might even be a special guest appearance or two while wine and canapés are also on offer. "Kilkenny are delighted to be opening a new store in the four-star Trim Castle Hotel, overlooking the historical Trim Castle. We feel Kilkenny will fit very well into the local business community of this bustling heritage town and we look forward to doing business for years to come," he added. Trim Chamber of Commerce President Noel French said the opening of the Kilkenny shop is a "mark of how far tourism has developed in Trim". "The Kilkenny shop will complement the other retail outlets in the town. The arrival of the shop will demonstrate to visitors that Trim has all they need in a town - places to visit, places to shop and a variety of activities and festivals to suit everyone," he said.