MAURA SWORDS, from Kimmage Road West, was thrilled. She was the first customer into the new Marks and Spencer on Grafton Street in Dublin yesterday morning, and everything was, well, "absolutely fabulous".
She was laden with flowers - the first 100 customers were presented with a bunch each. From between petals, Maura explained: "I always liked Marks and Spencers."
Above her, three chandeliers hung in sequence from a ceiling somewhere near the moon. It is that sort of place; all bright, white and space. Corinthian pillars, restored fireplaces, brass clocks, and a beautiful marble staircase.
But Barbara Seligman, from Church Street in Dublin, was disappointed. "They have no coffee shop, no restaurant," she said, incredulous. She and her friend, Margaret Gruson, were going across the road to Brown Thomas where they had a coffee shop.
But both thought the new store very nice. They liked "the lovely - wide aisles" but thought the clothes a bit ordinary. Carmel Dalton of Ballsbridge was also disappointed with the clothes. "They're outdated," she said. She had only been in the store a few minutes and had seen it all already. "It is definitely not Brown Thomas," she said, and left.
Collette Whelan, from Wellington Road in Dublin, who once worked in Brown Thomas, thought the new store beautiful, but wondered whether they sold Irish products in the food hall.
There were plenty of men about but none seemed to be buying. "The whole Law Library seems to be here," said one woman, in passing, about the empty handed men in suits.
And the verdict from the impromptu poll - beautiful store, great food hall, shame about the clothes.
