The times they are a changin’ and for Fermoy’s main shopping street, that is certainly the case.

As the Munster House, a bastion for many years on Patrick Street is set to close shortly, nationwide chain Dealz are set to open just down the street in the coming weeks next to Mellerick’s Pharmacy.

And, next door to the Munster House, the building housing the popular café The Torten is set to go under the hammer at auction next week.

Many see the Dealz move to Fermoy as a major game changer which could put a number of shops, carrying similar stock in the town, under pressure.

On MacCurtain Street in the town, second-hand shop One More Time, is closing its door on Saturday for the final time. Meanwhile, the Cork Meat Company has opened a new store in the Blackwater Shopping Centre on Dublin Road.

And while all this is happening, down West Waterford way a public meeting is being held in Ballyduff this week on Thursday night at 9pm in St Michael’s Hall to discuss the future plans for the shop in the village which closed last week.