The move will mark the end of an era for the bar and nightclub, which has played an important role in the social life of the Wexford town since it was opened by the late Michael Tierney in 1988.

The nightclub was one of many high-profile properties to be taken over by an investment firm in 2022, and sadly the once booming business has since suffered a steady decline.

Over the weekend, customers past and present passed to the console staff, some of whom have been working in the Stores for over 20 years.

“There’s still a lot of conversation going on,” one employee said. “We still don’t know exactly what’s going to happen (in terms of staff). There are already a lot of heartbroken lads here and many of them are out of date. I’ve served for years.”

It is understood The Centenary Stores employs around 20 staff, some of whom will be redeployed from The Riverbank House Hotel, which is currently owned by the Chinese investment fund, and currently operates through joint lease with The Riverbank House Hotel. Nightclub owned by a company called SMOR Ltd.

It’s unclear what will become of the once-iconic building on Charlotte Street, which also overlooks Wexford Dock, but it is certain to leave a huge gap in the city center landscape.

There was great sadness in January last year when Centenary Stores founder Michael Tierney passed away after a battle with motor neurone disease. He and his wife Adrienne have turned the Riverbank House Hotel, as well as the bar and nightclub, into a hugely successful business.