'scandalous' Anger as Krispy Kreme announce move to open Dublin city centre store in 2021

US doughnut giant Krispy Kreme has announced it will open a shop in Dublin city centre next year. 

The fast-food property agents Hines has revealed that the American giant had signed a lease for a large outlet at Central Plaza on Dame Street in the capital—the site of the former Central Bank.

Krispy Kreme will occupy 234 sq m of space on the plaza, with an additional 89 sq m at sub-plaza level.

As well as having frontage onto Dame Street, the unit will also face onto a pedestrian thoroughfare linking Dame Street to Temple Bar.

Krispy Kreme’s workshop at the new location – only its second in Ireland – will be entirely glazed allowing passers by get a view of the manufacturing process.

Brian Moran, senior managing director of Hines, said the property group was “delighted” that such an “iconic” brand will open on Dame St.

“Krispy Kreme will bring an exciting and beloved retail experience to a whole new customer base and will be perfectly located in the heart of Dublin,” he said.

Krispy Kreme’s first ever outlet in Ireland, at Blanchardstown beside the M50, was swarmed by customers when it opened in 2018.

It has remained hugely popular and is the most profitable Krispy Kreme outlet in the world with fans of the chain queuing for hours outside the shop when it first opened.

However, not everyone was over the moon at the news.

TV Chef Gary O’Hanlon believes that the move could be detrimental to the Dublin tourism sector.

“Imagine. Visit Ireland and in the heart of our capital city this is the s***e you’ll see,” he Tweeted.

“God forbid we’d have got an artisanal food offering in there. Priced out of the opportunity no doubt. Just when our culinary reputation was on the rise.”

Another angry punter replied: “That's scandalous . O'Connell St is a disgrace too full of takeaway joints, arcades until you come across the Gresham Hotel. We should do so more with our capital city.”