While about half of the existing jobs at the Arnotts department store in Dublin are said to be under threat due to a huge hotel and retail development of the surrounding area, many new jobs are expected after completion.

In September, a three-year redevelopment programme will begin in the area around Arnotts flagship store in Henry Street in the city.

According to a report in today's Irish Independent, around 400 jobs are expected to be lost as a result of the move.

A spokesman for Arnotts, which employs 950 staff at its Henry Street store, refused to comment, adding only that the figures quoted in the story were 'speculative'.

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The company is said to be finalising the operational plans for the development of the €1bn retail/hotel and residential Northern Quarter, which it is building in the area surrounding Arnotts.

Arnotts says that when plans are finalised they would be communicated to staff. However, a redundancy programme at Arnotts is seen by the retail sector as inevitable given the level of disruption involved during construction.

In counterpoint, the company says it aims to employ around 1,200 at the Henry Street outlet when the three-year redevelopment is completed.

Also, a further 3,800 people will be employed in the wider redeveloped Northern Quarter.

Arnotts is the oldest and largest department store in Dublin, Ireland. The company has a further, smaller store in Stillorgan Shopping Centre in south Dublin.

(NS/JM)