50 jobs to go at Kilroys

TULLAMORE firm Kilroys is to undergo "a radical restructuring" of the company which will mean the loss of 50 jobs between their three stores in Tullamore, Mullingar and Athlone

Details of the job losses were announced to staff at a meeting last week.From the end of March the furniture, flooring and white goods business will cease in Tullamore and Mullingar although the TV business will continue in all three locations, including in-house servicing."All guarantees, extended warranties on all present and past products will be fully honoured and our full customer service will continue," explained proprietor Derry Kilroy.The family business has been operating from their High Street premises in Tullamore since 1908. Some members of staff have been with the company for over 30 years. "We are offering very generous packages to the staff who will be leaving us," added Derry."All our staff have been very understanding about our decision and we will be writing this week to over 15,000 customers to explain to them what is going to happen."The closure of the furniture, flooring and white goods departments at Kilroys in Tullamore (and Mullingar) marks the end of an era in the business life of the town.

For generations Kilroys was the first choice when it came to purchasing a variety of goods. While the range of products had been somewhat narrowed in recent decades, at one time the shop sold motorcycles, petrol, prams, buckets and general hardware.The Kilroy family took over the business in 1908 from a gentleman called Hannegan. Derry Kilroy is the third generation of his family to be involved in the business. "This wasn't an easy decision, we have been thinking about it for some time," explained Derry Kilroy last week.The restructuring operation will conclude in the middle of March when the TV business will be re-located to the company's original store on High Street next to the Ulster Bank.At present the furniture and flooring section is based in this building. The premises across the street where the TV repairs and the white goods and electrical goods are currently sold will be closed.Speculation is already mounting about the possible sale of these premises, but Derry Kilroy maintained that a decision has not been reached."We wish to sincerely thank all our staff and customers for their genuine loyalty and goodwill over the years. We look forward to looking after them in the future in our TV business," he added.