Renewed effort to push for restoration of fire-ravaged Shannon Oaks Hotel
Renewed efforts are being made to have a fire-ravaged hotel restored to its former glory – and in the process provide the south-east of the county with a tourism boost.
It is now more than a decade since the Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna was extensively damaged by fire – and it has remained a shell ever since.
Local public representative Cllr Jimmy McClearn (FG) is now seeking a meeting with the owners of the property, the Comer Group, in an effort to have the hotel redeveloped after its long hiatus.
“To be without a major hotel in the town for such a considerable period of time has had an enormous impact for other businesses and tourism orientated initiatives,” he said.
“Maybe it is a pity that the Comer Group acquired it in the first place, because they were willing to leave it there – whereas another hotel group would have developed it by now,” Cllr McClearn added.
The Shannon Oaks was extensively damaged by fire back in September 2011 and four years later, the site was acquired by the Comer Group who, at the time, gave an undertaking that it would be redeveloped.
Two years ago, planning permission was granted by Galway County Council to Barry Comer of the Comer Group to provide 60 new bedrooms along with 40 apartments to the rear of the structure.
However, there has been little movement on the site since then and now the owners are being again asked to give some indication as to when the hotel will be rebuilt.
Cllr McClearn confirmed that he met with Barry Comer about a year ago and, at the time, he could not give a clear indication as to when works would begin – but he is determined to get clarity now.
There have been recent suggestions that the Comer Group may face financial penalties from Galway County Council as part of a derelict site levy – but there is no confirmation of this being the case.
The government have issued guidelines to local authorities regarding the implementation of a Derelict Site Levy, but this has not yet been agreed by elected representatives.
According to Cllr McClearn, Portumna critically needs a hotel to encourage both short-term and long-term stays – and that is why he is seeking a meeting with the owners in order to progress this.
The Comers also own the Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe and it was highly anticipated that this, along with the Shannon Oaks, would become ‘sister hotels’ when it came to occupancy and promotion.