Dunnes plan to demolish Crumlin shopping centre

DUNNES Stores is planning to knock down Crumlin shopping centre and replace it with a two-story mall.

The move could mean that Ireland’s biggest retailer avoids a derelict site levy.

The building was a thriving shopping centre in the 1980s and 90s, and had 49 shops at one stage, including a bank, café, butchers, photography services, shoe shop, and a pub.

However, it has been hollowed out over the last 20 years, and even the Texas Fried Chicken located on the outside of the building on the Crumlin Road side, closed in 2020.

Dunnes still occupies one unit, while the rest of the centre, which is located beside Sundrive garda station, is closed to the public. The garda station is itself closed to the public, but still operational.

Last month Dublin Inquirer reported that Dublin City Council was assessing the site to see if it was suitable for the derelict sites register.

In a planning application, Better Value Limited, which is owned by Dunnes, is asking to demolish the 125,000 sq ft building and replace it with a 182,000 sq ft shopping centre.

A new anchor retail tenant will sit at ground and first floor level.

There will be a ‘food market’ on the ground floor and a food court.

Four independent retailers, an 11,000 sq ft library and a gym are also planned for the development.

The latest proposals differ from previous applications, which were submitted in 2009 and 2015 and included only partial demolition of the complex.

Crumlin shopping centre was developed in 1973 on the site of the former Moracrete concrete plant by UK-based developer Stonegate Securities.

The centre was officially opened by TV broadcaster Gay Byrne in 1974.The Dunne family bought the centre four years later.

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