In 2020, Shoe Zone closed its store at 1 South Main Street in Wexford Town after trading there since the mid-2000s.
The UK-based retailer withdrew from Ireland entirely the following year, closing all its Irish stores and website to cut costs. At the time, it was struggling with Covid lockdowns and supply chain disruptions.
After its closure, the Shoe Zone premises remained vacant.
In October 2023, Wexford County Council served the building’s owner with a notice that it intended to add the property to its derelict sites register. The notice instructed the owner to carry out pest control measures and several repairs.
In October 2024, Wexford County Council officially added the building to the derelict sites register, but its condition remained unchanged.
Shortly after the building was added to the register, the council publicly appealed for help in locating the owner. It later emerged that Cashel Holdings Ltd, a Dublin-based company, had acquired the building.
On 23 October 2025, Wexford County Council executed a compulsory purchase order on the property, vesting it in the council. The council valued the property at €220,000 and sold it to Yamille Limited, of 59 South Main Street, Wexford, for €355,000 on 27 February 2026. The purchaser was required to substantially complete works within 24 months to render the property non-derelict. Plans included a commercial premises on the ground floor and apartments overhead.