Next is to rent a second outlet, while two new international chains prepare to open in the centre, writes JACK FAGAN

TOP FASHION retailer Next is to open a second shop at the Jervis Centre in Dublin city centre where two other international fashion outlets are due to commence trading in the coming weeks.

Next was one of the first overseas tenants in the Jervis Centre when it opened for business 16 years ago. Its unit of 390sq m (4,200sq ft) fronting onto Mary Street has traded consistently well over the years and, when sportswear specialist Lifestyle Sports recently indicated that it would be availing of a break option in its lease, Next moved swiftly to rent that store as well. It has agreed an overall rent of €1.3 million for the two stores.

The former Lifestyle Sports unit extends to just over 1,300sq m (14,000sq ft) over ground and mezzanine levels. Lifestyle Sports, which was taken over last year by the Wexford-based Stafford family, had originally been paying rent of €650,000 for the Jervis Centre shop.

Next's expansion plans will coincide with the arrival of two high profile overseas traders, Los Angeles-based Forever 21 and the UK multiple New Look. It will be the first European store for Forever 21, which has 500 outlets worldwide and a turnover of more than $2.3 billion. The company is reported to be also moving into London this year, as well as cities such as Paris, Milan, Munich, Amsterdam, Vienna, Madrid and Barcelona.

Forever 21 will be in direct competition with Zara and H&M in providing a fast turnaround in high fashion trends for both women and men.

It will be paying a rent of €2.75 million for 6,503sq m (70,000sq ft) in the Jervis Centre and has set an opening date of November 15th.

New Look plans to use the Jervis Centre outlet as its flagship Irish store when it opens in the run-up to Christmas. It will be paying rent of €1.3 million for 3,716sq m (40,000sq ft), making it the largest of the chain's more than 1,000 stores worldwide.

New Look will trade at ground and basement levels in a part of the centre previously occupied by Arnotts Project. The balance of the space has been allocated to Forever 21. New Look is expected to commence trading in the last week of October.

Dara Cronin of Savills, who handled all the lettings, is currently quoting a rent of €200,000 for the only remaining vacant shop in the centre, which had been occupied by Jean Scene. It has an area of 148sq m (1,600sq ft) at first-floor level and a mezzanine of 102sq m (1,100sq ft).

The Jervis Centre has more than 60 retail units covering an 36,000sq m (387,500sq ft).

City planners have given permission for an extra 5,574sq m (60,000sq ft) of shopping space in what is now part of the car park and also at the top of the centre.