Catherine Street site proposed for multiplex
AFTER numerous false alerts, city centre cinemas are back on the agenda. The Limerick Post is privy to information that local developers are to approach Limerick City Council about the possibility of securing planning permission for a multi screen complex in Catherine Street.
The developers concerned had earlier failed to secure planning permission for an office block on the street.
The site is across the road from the Mid Western Health Board offices, and includes the former Desmond Arms pub.
Tom Fitzpatrick of Limerick Property Management Service, who acquired the properties on behalf of the developers, said: “They are looking at the viability of such a development and are hoping to discuss it with city planners in February”.
The project has been on hiatus since proposals to develop an office block were rejected by An Bord Pleanala last year.
He said that the developers, who include local businessman Noel Harrington, had reassessed plans.
“They acknowledge that there is little demand for apartments and offices, and are now looking at cinemas”.
The group will meet city planners ahead of making an application, due to the costly nature of the process.
Should the council give the green light-and they are expected to look favourably upon it- an operator is likely to be sought for the project. There are very few privately owned cinemas in Ireland, with most in the control of multi nationals and the highly successful Irish owned Ward Anderson group. An initial proposal to demolish some of the buildings on Catherine Street and construct an office block, was accepted by Limerick City Council.
There was an objection to this decision and the application was brought before An Bord Pleanala, where it was rejected on the basis that it would interfere with the protected structures of 35, 36 and 37 Catherine Street.
Limerick City Council planners indicated last year that they would favour cinemas in the city centre.
They had earlier turned down an application for 10-screens at the Ennis Road Retail Park, where there is now a revised application, as reported in last week’s issue, to build a seven screen cinema.
Kieran Reeves, planning officer for City Council, had told the Limerick Post that they had a preference for cinemas at a city centre location.
The cinema industry is going through a new lease of life, and managements report heavy bookings, particularly at weekends.
The Omniplex and Storm reported record returns from 3D blockbuster Avatar and Toy Story.
