The Mayor officially opened the store, which is owned by new franchise owner, Pat Fitzgerald, by unzipping a custom-made six-foot zip in the novel opening ceremony.

The new Milton Keynes franchise location created two local jobs and offers a wide range of alteration and tailoring services, all done on site by trained professionals, in a spotlessly clean, purpose-built environment.

Fitzgerald is a quantity surveyor by trade, but decided to look to the UK to build a business following the decline of the construction industry in Ireland. He identified Milton Keynes as a promising location for his new venture and relocated his wife and three young children from Limerick to the city.

Fitzgerald said: "Milton Keynes has a can-do attitude and the reaction to The ZipYard has been very positive. We are way ahead of where I expected to be sales-wise at this point and IÕm well on track with my plans to open another three ZipYards in the surrounding area within 18 months."

Commenting on the opening of the new business, Cllr White said: "As Mayor and a fellow Irishman I am delighted to welcome Pat and his family to Milton Keynes and wish The ZipYard every success. I am sure that the services offered by The ZipYard will prove very popular here."

Published: 19 July 2013

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