Safety concerns over new restaurant plan
The city’s Chief Fire Officer has raised concerns about proposed escape measures from a planned Mexican food restaurant and takeaway in Eyre Square.
And City Council planners have queried whether part of the building is intended for use by An Púcán on Forster Street which is owned by the same company.
Doug Leddin and Ciaran O’Malley had sought permission for a change of use of Number 9 Eyre Square – which has been vacant for three-and-a-half year – and its upper floors.
The building is owned by Connacht Taverns, which also operates An Púcán, a business to which the two applicants are also connected.
“The proposal entails the conversion of a vacant commercial unit, previously used as an internet café, to a restaurant themed around Mexican food with ancillary take away, internal changes including provision of stairwells and provision of a new shopfront.
“The unit has been vacant for approximately 3.5 years and has become somewhat dilapidated due to the need for investment and redevelopment. This proposal will provide that investment and sensitive visual enhancement of the premises which is much overdue.
“The unit is a relatively narrow unit of approximately 5.5 metres. The useable area of the unit has been further narrowed by the provision of a fire escape corridor from the rear of An Púcán onto Eyre Square.
“This existing corridor will also be utilised by the [restaurant] also for fire escape purposes as the proposed upper floors are also intended to be subject to the change of use to restaurant,” the application reads.
However, planners have pointed out there seems to be a “substantial overprovision of toilet accommodation” in the building, which is supposed to cater for 44 patrons.
For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.