Meanwhile Penneys getting ready for major expansion
11:41, 15 Oct 2026Updated 11:42, 15 Oct 2026
‘Everything must go!’ sale on in Flying Tiger, Cork city
Another popular shop is leaving the Cork city high street, as Flying Tiger Copenhagen has announced it is closing its St Patrick’s Street store.
The store, known for Scandi-style gifts, quirky homeware, crafts and decorations, is holding a closing-down sale as it prepares to shut in the coming weeks.
The Danish brand, which has more than 1,000 locations worldwide, has been in the city centre for more than a decade. It was previously called Tiger, before rebranding to Flying Tiger Copenhagen. They operate another Cork location at Mahon Point Shopping Centre, which is understood to be staying open.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen, Patrick Street, Cork city(Image: Cork Beo)
Meanwhile, neighbouring retailer Penneys is pushing ahead with plans to transform its flagship Cork store. A major repair and refurbishment project will start in the existing Penneys building, including an extension into the former Jack and Jones store and another vacant unit on Cook St.
The Irish fashion retailer put up for sale a block of eight Cook St properties, which could spur the regeneration of a city centre street blighted for years by empty stores and closed restaurants.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen was founded as a market stall in Denmark, and the first physical store, then called Zebra, was opened in 1988. Zebra evolved into Tiger and opened as a ‘playful retail concept’ in 1995. Since then, it has grown to a global brand operating in over 40 countries. Earlier this year, the retailer was bought by UK investment firm Modella Capital, which is understood to be restructuring the company.
Its closure announcement is another second blow for Cork retail this week as high-end fashion retailer Flannels is also closing its St Patrick’s Street shop. After three years, the designer shop is looking to close after Christmas. Flannels was founded in England in the 1970s, expanded to Ireland in 2022, and the Cork store was the brand’s first outside Dublin. The Flannels store in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in Dublin is also closing.
Flannels is closing its St Patrick’s Street store (Image: CorkBeo)
Up the road, the former Roches Stores building is undergoing a major overhaul. Zara and Rituals have been named as possible tenants at the site. Scaffolding has been erected in recent months, though opening is not likely until at least the spring of 2027.