19-05-2025
Historic Singers shop in Cork City closes its doors after 150 years in business
One of Cork City's longest-standing shops has announced its closure after 150 years in business.
The historic Singers shop has closed its doors for the last time after providing garment alteration and sewing services to Cork customers since the 1870s.
Located on the ground floor of the five-storey early Georgian building on Grand Parade, Singers Corner is a landmark spot with its distinct gold and black facade, which was renovated in 2014.
The black and gold floral motif was decided on to reflect the design of the black wooden sewing machines, some of which have been kept on display in the windows below.
Steeped in history, the end of terrace building dates to the early 1800s, and was acquired in 1870 by the Singer Manufacturing Company, founded by the inventor Isaac Merritt Singer. The ground floor was remodelled in the 1930s and 1940s.
Cork's Singer's Corner was the company's Irish HQ for many years, with a number of other Singer shops scattered around Ireland. It became one of the first global brands to go the franchise route, and in 1960, Thomas Carr, a former manager of the Cork business, took on ownership and subsequently acquired the Grand Parade property.
However, after a rich history operating in the centre of Cork City, the sewing shop posted a notice on its doors last week announcing that it would be closing the business.
Customers with uncollected alterations or machine repairs have been encouraged to collect them immediately by calling the store. The business has now been listed as 'Permanently Closed' on Google.
Contacted by the Irish Examiner, the company referred it to the appointed liquidators, with the process of winding down set to be completed by next week.
It marks the second closure of a landmark Cork City business in recent weeks, following that of clothing retailer Mannix & Culhane.
The historic store closed its doors for the last time in March after 95 years in business.
