Change of use of former Dunnes Stores in Dundalk gets go ahead

Louth County Council has given the go ahead for the change of use of the former Dunnes Stores at Park Street in Dundalk, from retail unit to sports entertainment premises.

GR8 Entertainments Ltd applied for planning permission in May of this year for the development, which included a change of use of the premises, to sports entertainment premises with outdoor seating area on Park Street, along with signage on the front elevation on Park Street and side elevation on River Lane. The plans for the new development aim to serve a new and growing trend known as “competitive socialising”.

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

Recognising the potential of the building and Park Street, Mr McEliggott said that, “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.”

Michael Gunne from REA Gunne and current director on the board of BIDS was involved in securing a future long term tenancy for the Park Street site. 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.”