Local retail project gets green light

The commercial life of Tullamore was given a welcome shot in the arm with news that Offaly County Council has given the go-ahead for a major development in the heart of the town centre.

The new commercial centre, which is to be developed by local businessman, James O'Connor of Fit It Out Construction company, Marian Place, is to be built at the O'Neill Place carpark, just off High Street.

It will consist of a two, three and four storey development with retail on the ground floor and the upper levels to be used as office space.

The location of the new development was previously used by Lawless Funeral Directors, and has a long-standing history of commercial use.

However, in recent years there has been no commercial activity at this site.

The architect for the project is Patrick Little from Axis Architecture, and when asked to provide additional information to the Offaly County Council planning office as part of the planning application, Mr Little said the proposed development would “positively contribute to the renewal and regeneration of Tullamore town centre and the under-utilised O'Neill Place car park”.

Meanwhile, a Tullamore-based doctor who already runs a busy medical practice on Convent Road has applied to Offaly County Council to convert office space in Grand Canal House to a medical centre.

Dr Michael Haverty, who operates the Edgewater Medical Centre on Convent Road, lodged an application with Offaly County Council on April 18 for a change of use of existing ground floor offices in Grand Canal House, Colmcille Street, into a medical centre.

If granted, it will bring to two the number of dedicated medical centres in Tullamore, with the second one being located at Clonminch, on the approach road into the town from the Portlaoise direction. A decision is due on Dr Haverty's application is due by June 7 next.