Tipperary retail premises in new development hasn’t attracted any tenants
The “only remaining empty building” at a new development in a major Tipperary town is the subject of a planning application that is currently before Tipperary County Council.
Lidl Ireland GmbH have applied to the local authority for a change of use for one of their buildings at their new Queen Street development in Clonmel, due to the inability to attract retail and office tenants.
The German retailer have applied to the council for permission to change the use of a part of their development – known as building C – from retail to wellness centre and gym.
The ground floor would be used on an appointment basis for client treatments, and includes the consumption of food and beverages on and off the premises, while the first floor would be changed from office use to leisure/gym use.
Building C remains the “only empty building in the Lidl development” on Queen Street, planning files state.
The other two buildings on the site are currently in use as a Lidl store and a restaurant/café.
Agents for Lidl state that the change of use would be in contravention of the planning conditions imposed by Tipperary County Council, but that it was necessary due to their difficulties in securing a tenant for the building.
“It has not been possible to secure a retailer or office user for the ground and first floors respectively. Lidl has had two inquiries which it is pursuing now and needs the change of use to secure the end users,” planning files say.
The businesses interested in using the space include a wellness centre that offers treatments to clients on an appointment basis, while also selling health food and drinks which can be consumed on and off premises, and a local gym which offers one-on-one and small group coaching.
Tipperary County Council are due to make a decision on the application by August 26.