At the beginning of the year it was announced that fast fashion brand Primark would open a new store near the Luxembourgish border in Mont-Saint-Martin. A few months in, the project might not happen at all.

The mayor of Mont-Saint-Martin, Serge De Carli, confirmed in the French publication Le Républicain Lorrain that the Aushopping Pôle Europe shopping centre will welcome a new Primark shop. The shop was to occupy an area of 3,000 square metres and create about 100 jobs.

In an unexpected turn of events, Jean-March Fournel, mayor of the French city Longwy, filed a complaint against the company's branch in the neighbouring municipality. This was reported by Le Républicain Lorrain earlier this week.

According to Fournel, it is his duty to "defend the businesses in the city centre". In addition, the arrival of Primark would decrease the level of quality. "There isn't just junkfood, there is also junkclothing", he continued. He highlighted in particular the "deplorable conditions" under which the brand makes "men, women and even children" work.

The project is in a difficult position now and may not be implemented at all. Regardless of the final outcome, the project will  be delayed as a result of the lawsuits.