Change could be on the cards for Ferrybank Shopping Centre.
A recent planning application submitted to Kilkenny County Council lists a number of changes to the premises, including:
- A reduction in size of a permitted retail warehouse, gym, offices... installation of travelators... rearrangement of the food court to create restaurant units, rearrangement of car park resulting in a total of 1,079 spaces.
- The creation of two food kiosks.
- External changes that include the re-arrangement of windows, doors and general materials.
- Change of top floor use to office spaces.
Promising as the changes seem, Councillor Tomás Breathnach (Labour), who has examined the application, does not believe the upgrades signal the commercial opening of the centre in the immediate future.
"To me, it seems more like a tidying up affair", commented Cllr. Breathnach.
One substantial change is the development of the top floor to office space. That should be important for centre's the future success."
Cllr. Breathnach went on to express his willingness to improve the shopping centre's prospects.
"When Kilkenny County Council opened the area library and offices there, it was a sign that the situation was moving forward.
"Unfortunately, progress stalled there", said the councilor.
"Still, the people of South Kilkenny embraced the local library, which is now one of the busiest in the county" - a fact that should bode well for potential tenants.
Closing date for submissions made in relation to Ferrybank Shopping Centre is February 5th, but submissions will be accepted until Monday, 6th February.
