Topshop returning to Irish high street in Donegal

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Davy Wilson and Catherine Doyle

BBC News NI

PA Media a bustling high street scene with a Topshop store as its centrepiece. Blurred shoppers are in the foreground, while the store front is brightly illuminated. large photos of models wearing the brand's clothing are seen in the windows.PA Media

Topshop is returning to the high street in a partnership with one of the Republic of Ireland’s best known department stores.

McElhinney’s in Ballybofey, County Donegal, is to begin selling Topshop’s clothing range next month.

It will be the first time that Topshop clothes will be sold in a physical store since it moved solely into the online retail space.

In 2021, Topshop was one of four brands acquired by online fashion group Asos from failed retail group Arcadia.

McElhinney’s general manager Sandra Devenney told BBC News NI shoppers can expect “the Topshop that we all knew and loved and have missed”.

“We are really optimistic and very excited about this.”

McElhinneys A high street department store photographed in early morning sun. The sun is reflecting off its glass frontage, a single shopper walks by.McElhinneys

Discussion to partner with Topshop began in January, McElhinneys said

McElhinney’s will be the first store to sell Topshop clothes as part of its high street relaunch.

Its return to bricks and mortar retail will also see the brand partnering with stockists in Denmark and France later in 2025.

Topshop, Ms Devenney said, is an iconic brand, and a perfect fit for the Donegal store.

“We have an exceptionally dynamic team and are always looking to the future while, as one of the now very few independent family run stores in Europe, maintaining our heritage,” she said.

Is Topshop returning to the UK high street?

Getty Images Cara Delevingne , with long blonde hair, stands in front of a floral display. The flowers are yellow, red, ornage and pink. She is smiling wryly, and wearing a black and silver dressGetty Images

Actress and model Cara Delevingne is the face of Topshop’s ‘bold new era’, the company has announced

Topshop has been teasing a return to high streets in the UK over recent weeks.

Last month its managing director Michelle Wilson told industry magazine Drapers that Topshop is planning to be back on the UK high street by the autumn of 2025.

In a post on social media on Tuesday, the company revealed actress and model Cara Delevingne as “the new face of Topshop”, adding a “bold new era begins.”

Denise Curran Denise Curran, who has shoulder length dar hair, is wearing sunglasses as she stands on a decking. She is smiling, and wearing a pink and white jacket and matching trousers. A number of buildings can be seen in the backgroundDenise Curran

Fashion blogger Denise Curran can not wait for Topshop’s return

Fashion blogger Denise Curran is excited for its return.

“You were bang on trend if you were shopping in Topshop,” Denise from County Armagh told BBC News NI.

“I can’t wait to see what their styles will be like.”

She said it was to the Donegal store’s huge credit that they have partnered with Topshop and will definitely be making the trip down.

“Well done to McElhinneys, it’s amazing to see.

“A lot of people obviously travel to Donegal on their holidays so it’s a great location for people to actually plop on a map and say I want to go there.”

Topshop first opened in Sheffield in 1964 and at its peak had about 300 stores in the UK and Ireland, including 14 in Northern Ireland and a further six in the Republic.

Asos bought the Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands, but not the shops, after Arcadia went into administration in 2020.

In 2024 Danish company Bestseller bought 75% of Asos’ stake in Topshop.

BBC News NI has approached Topshop for comment.

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