Discount pharmacy giant hints at opening at struggling Bray Central
The company launched its first store in Blanchardstown, Dublin, in October 2020 and now has five stores in Dublin, three in Cork, one in Carlow, two in Meath and one in Louth.
Bray Central now looks to be the latest addition to the stable, with branded 'guess who's moving in' notices placed in the windows of one of the vacant units this week.
The beleaguered town centre site was dealt another blow with the closure of one of its anchor food outlets, Elephant and Castle, recently, and a new Chemist Warehouse store at the central site will mean there will now be 10 pharmacies, as well as a Holland & Barrett outlet, competing in the vicinity of the main street.
Chemist Warehouse is one of Australia's largest chemist retailers, with over 500 stores, and its model is to offer discounted prices for pharmaceutical goods, as well as fragrance and beauty products.
The future of the Bray Central shopping centre was thrown into doubt at the end of last year, when receivers were appointed with what was believed were plans to focus on filling the remaining empty units. The addition of Chemist Warehouse, which has remained good to its pledge to continue rolling out stores nationwide since it gained a foothold in the Irish market, could well prove popular with customers in north Wicklow, given its closest outlet to Bray is in Dun Laoghaire.
Meanwhile, the family food venture, The Pantry, has posted menus at its unit in Bray Central, having confirmed it will open in the unit vacated by Elephant & Castle. Although there are no details on a definitive opening date.
The Pantry was established in 2016 with a focus on home-cooked food and wholesome seasonal ingredients from local producers and its menu ranges from all-day breakfasts, including a vegetarian option, from €13.95, classic lunch offerings such as the BLT for €12.95, heartier meals like carbonara and curry (€13.95) and a kids' menu.
The business began in Cork city and has evolved to include high streets and shopping centres and has expanded into Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, Roscommon, Clare and Dublin.
It currently has two restaurants in Wicklow – Kilcoole and Arklow.
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