Coffee giant Starbucks has closed one of its most prominent branches in Dublin city centre amid reports earlier this year that it is looking for an exit from the market in the UK.
A spokeswoman for the company told The Irish Times that it has no plans to reduce its Irish footprint despite shuttering its store at Stephen Court, the former headquarters of Anglo Irish Bank on Stephen’s Green in Dublin 2. It is understood that the closure is linked to plans by the building’s owner, Irish Life Assurance, to demolish and redevelop the historic property. Earlier this year, the insurance company lodged a planning application with Dublin City Council, which has requested more information.
In Ireland, the company’s store network is operated under licence by businessmen Colm and Ciaran Butler through their Entertainment Enterprises group.
IrishTimes That just says it all