THE HABITAT store which closed in the centre of Dublin last Saturday is not likely to be empty for long.

Several retailers have already expressed an interest in taking over the vast split level store which runs from College Green back to Suffolk Street.

Avoca Handweavers, who are based in a much smaller building of 836sq m (9,000sq ft) close by on Suffolk Street, is apparently interested in taking over the outlet which has a retail area of 2,157sq m (23,217sq ft) and a further 1,094sq m (11,776sq ft) of storage pace.

An international fashion chain has also made a formal approach.

Other fashion traders, such as Gap and TK Maxx, might also end up chasing the lease.

Estate agent HWBC has been seeking key money of €3 million for the Habitat lease and, although a premium of that size may not be readily available in the present difficult climate, the odds are that they will get more than half that figure.