Top public priorities for future use of Clara building confirmed

A meeting space for community groups, a youth cafe or a creative enterprise hub were among the suggested uses to emerge from a public consultation on plans for the former Co-Op building on Clara's River Street.

Offaly County Council hosted both in-person and online public consultation events on the refurbishment and resdesign of the building, close to the junction with Bridge Street and Main Street.

Early last year, it was confirmed the former Recks building on River Street would be acquired as part of the Government's Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Later in the year, €50,000 funding was allocated for design and planning work on the proposal to convert a building on River Street to a multi-purpose community space.

Over the years the building has had many uses including a street mill, school, co-operative, retail and residential.

Helena McElmeel Architects in cooperation with the council is proposing to refurbish the building to create a multipurpose space for the community of Clara and wider public.

Clara Town Team said that results from the public consultation prioritised the following key uses: meeting space for community groups, a youth café, a coffee shop and creative enterprise hub for artists, bakers, craftspeople and growers.