News

Merchants Arch Hotel gets permission

An Bord Pleanala has given permission for a new hotel at Merchant's Arch Dublin despite 40,000 objectors signing a petition. merchantsarch2

The development will involve the demolition of a number of retail units and the construction of a boutique hotel and restaurant at the archway.

Permission for the development was granted to publican Tom Doone, who owns the Merchant’s Arch bar, by Dublin City Council earlier this year. An appeal was lodged by former Irish Times environment editor Frank McDonald and Temple Bar residents.

However, An Bord Pleanála has now upheld the council’s decision, despite a recommendation from its own inspector to refuse permission. The planning board had turned down previous attempts to develop a hotel on the site.

The development at 1-4 Merchant’s Arch will see the demolition of the existing two-storey over basement building, which is currently used by a number of retail outlets.

It will be replaced with a three-storey over ground floor and basement building. A restaurant is planned for the ground floor and basement, while the hotel will occupy the upper floors.

Dublin Airport reaches 50% capacity

Dublin Airport is now operating at about half of its pre-Covid capacity on some days even as carriers such as Aer Lingus move assets to the UK, according to DAA chairman Basil dublinairport0421 Geoghegan.

Mr Geoghegan told the joint Oireachtas Transport Committee yesterday that Dublin Airport and Cork Airport have as much to offer airlines and passengers now as they did before the pandemic.

“We think we’ll be as competitive as we ever were,” he said.

Aer Lingus operated its first direct service between Manchester and Barbados yesterday.

Urgent bid to resolve re-opening anomalies

A series of urgent meetings to-day between Government and hospitality associations will seek to provide clarity on the re-opening of pubs and night clubs. nightclub0620

The reopening of nightclubs will involve "anomalies", the Taoiseach has said in announcing the continuation of some Covid measures into next year.

There is a lack of clarity around whether nightclubs will have to impose table service, or whether people will be able to order drinks from the bar when they reopen on Friday.

Asked about the measures nightclubs will have to adopt to open, Micheál Martin said: "What traditionally happens in a nightclub will happen in a nightclub."

However, he said the industry, which has been closed for almost 19 months, will receive specific guidance.

"The objective here is to try to open things up and keep things open, but to put in as many practical measures as we can to keep people safe. There are going to be anomalies, there are going to be contradictions, unfortunately, but that's always going to be the case, unless you go for one extreme or the other," said Mr Varadkar.

A revised reopening plan has been announced by the Government which will see the further easing of Covid-19 restrictions on the night-time economy from Friday, October 22nd. Measures around testing of close contacts and international travel have also been altered.

Publicans bemoan 'Devastating Day'

Another devastating day for pub trade” is how the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland described the latest announcement around Covid-19 restrictions. pcribben

While pre-Covid opening times are to return, Micheál Martin announced that table service in hospitality settings would remain.

The number of adults per table is to increase to 10, up from six, but Covid passes will still be needed to gain access to indoor hospitality.

The Taoiseach said it is expected that these measures will continue until February, which is what was advised by Nphet.

The VFI said that maintaining restrictions will result in further pub closures as mandatory table service significantly reduces capacity in venues.

€12m portfolio to attract investors

Restaurants, a hotel, hostel, and a pub are included in a portfolio of Dublin city centre properties is set to come to auction over the coming weeks, with a combined value of more lanigans1021 than €12 million.

The properties, which are to go to auction in November, are being marketed by Knight Frank, with five of the six located in some of the most commercially-vibrant and varied areas in Dublin 1. The sixth asset is located within the prime Harcourt Street area of Dublin 2.

They include: