Big changes planned for former Dunnes in Dundalk

Big changes are on the cards for the former Dunnes Stores building on Park Street in Dundalk, with plans underway to convert the landmark site into a sports entertainment building, with an outdoor seating area, to serve a new and growing trend known as “competitive socialising”.

A site notice has been erected at the Park Street site, indicating that GR8 Entertainment Ltd intends to apply for planning permission for the development, that would consist of the Change of Use of the retail unit to a sports entertainment premises with outdoor seating on Park Street; signage on the front elevation on Park Street, and side elevation on River Lane; and associated elevational changes and all associated site development work.

Dundalk BIDS has been involved in trying to bring the former supermarket building back to life, as part of ongoing efforts to bring commercial activity back to the area.

Town Centre Commercial Manager, Martin McElligott told the Dundalk Democrat that the company has been “working very hard” with various stakeholders to “help break the deadlock on this important landmark site in the town.”

Mr McElligott explained that: “Since the closure of the Dunnes store site due to its relocation across to the Marshes shopping centre in 2009, a move that had been part of a worrying national trend in town centres all across Ireland at that time.

“While this model was been replicated cross sector, it has to be said that this one move has left an indelible mark in the psyche of the street but moreover the people of Dundalk to this very day!

“The truth is that Park Street still has a lot to offer its visitors, it has a wonderfully diverse mix of retail, convenience, hospitality and of course it also hosts the largest concentration of the town’s core night time economy providers. It’s fair to say that there is still a lot of work to be done but I am hopeful with this announcement that we could see a step change for the betterment of the street’s future.

“The Dundalk BIDS company and its directors have been working very hard across many different channels with all associated stakeholders, to help break the deadlock on this important landmark site in the town.

“I would also take the time to acknowledge the efforts of Mr Michael Gunne from REA Gunne and current director on the board of BIDS for his push in securing a future long term tenancy for the site. These types of negotiations are complex in nature and take time to be realised, but I do feel that the proposed new usage could prove be a big hit for park street, moreover the town centre.”

Explaining more about the idea of “competitive socialising”, Michael Gunne told the Dundalk Democrat that, “while title may be a new term, it is certainly not a new concept.”

Mr Gunne continued, “people were throwing darts in pubs as early as the fifteenth century, and anyone who’s played a game of pool in a bar or taken part in a pub quiz knows that a bit of healthy competition makes for a great evening.

“But in the past few years, the concept of competitive socialising has been revitalised, representing the biggest development to the leisure sector in many decades.

“It’s a straightforward idea: customers play a simple game in a buzzy venue with music, food, and drink. Most competitive socialising locations are large-format sites found near business districts, with a vibrant and Instagram-friendly decor designed to attract millennial and Gen Z customers.”

Mr Gunne said that in the past ten years, we’ve seen a steady flow of new brands emerge. “There’s Swingers (offering crazy golf), Puttshack (mini golf), Flight Club (darts), Electric Shuffle (shuffleboard), Sixes (cricket) and Bounce (ping pong)”, he continued.

“Some are taking a tech-first approach: at Toca Social, customers can compete in a digital version of a football penalty shootout, while Immersive Gamebox has created a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience which allows visitors to immerse themselves in interactive gameplay and transport to a new world based on their favourite table top game, tv show or film.

“One of the newest players is F1 Arcade, which has revamped the traditional arcade concept to offer racing simulators with group socialising in mind.”