back of penneys / ex hotel

Max Powers

Anyone know whats going on there? builders have a loads of hoarding up along length of old hotel that used to be there. Penneys extending I would guess?

7upfree

Max Powers wrote: »

Anyone know whats going on there? builders have a loads of hoarding up along length of old hotel that used to be there. Penneys extending I would guess?

I'd say so. Didn't Penneys buy it?

Sully

It's the extension to Penny's.

O Riain

Sully wrote: »

It's the extension to Penny's.

They're building an extension?

The Hill Billy

Details here.

Sully

O Riain wrote: »

They're building an extension?

Yup, as per below. Its a busy store, probably one of the busiest in Waterford.

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Details here.

brinty

Great to see, that premises had become an eyesore....
That'll create more jobs in the city, long may it continue
More of this please...

O Riain

Sully wrote: »

Yup, as per below. Its a busy store, probably one of the busiest in Waterford.

Ah very good, I knew they'd bought it alright but didnt think they were going to do anything major with it. Extending the store at the bottom should make it the biggest in the south east if not munster right?

BBM77

It is excellent news to hear that this has started. This is the kind of thing that will really help the city centre. I know people will say Primark are only thinking of making more money but by doing it in an appropriate location they are creating an attraction that other businesses can feed of. I am sure the other businesses in John Roberts Square are feeling a little bit more positive about the future now and other companies may even be considering taking an empty unit in the area.

7upfree

BBM77 wrote: »

It is excellent news to hear that this has started. This is the kind of thing that will really help the city centre. I know people will say Primark are only thinking of making more money but by doing it in an appropriate location they are creating an attraction that other businesses can feed of. I am sure the other businesses in John Roberts Square are feeling a little bit more positive about the future now and other companies may even be considering taking an empty unit in the area.

It is great to see. If it weren't for certain planning ideologists the Centre wouldn't be in the state its in now.

Sully

7upfree wrote: »

It is great to see. If it weren't for certain planning ideologists the Centre wouldn't be in the state its in now.

Well, I don't think that's fair. The planning got the go ahead. Such large scale developments will always go trough many phases of planning and rightfully so. The company didn't do anything and eventually went bust. If planning was given the go ahead earlier, we could very well be facing a half built complex or a complex built but nobody inside.

7upfree

Sully wrote: »

Well, I don't think that's fair. The planning got the go ahead. Such large scale developments will always go trough many phases of planning and rightfully so. The company didn't do anything and eventually went bust. If planning was given the go ahead earlier, we could very well be facing a half built complex or a complex built but nobody inside.

Well, I don't agree. Even if it had been finished and unoccupied it would look a hell of a lot better than the bomb sites that are there at the minute. If it hadn't been delayed again and again it would have gone ahead and probably have been built.

Sully

7upfree wrote: »

Well, I don't agree. Even if it had been finished and unoccupied it would look a hell of a lot better than the bomb sites that are there at the minute. If it hadn't been delayed again and again it would have gone ahead and probably have been built.

Either way, either solution would be an eyesore. But we have potential now to develop a smaller scale project or to sell them into individual blocks. If it were built, we wouldn't have as much flexibility.

7upfree

Sully wrote: »

Either way, either solution would be an eyesore. But we have potential now to develop a smaller scale project or to sell them into individual blocks. If it were built, we wouldn't have as much flexibility.

A small amount of people were responsible for this.

Jason Todd

Oh, get a room you two!

..Brian..

That will be fairly massive alright, taking up most of the block!

7upfree

:D

Jason Todd wrote: »

Oh, get a room you two!

O Riain

Sully wrote: »

Either way, either solution would be an eyesore. But we have potential now to develop a smaller scale project or to sell them into individual blocks. If it were built, we wouldn't have as much flexibility.

Agreed, many half built structures in limerick with cranes on top of them for years that look absolutely dreadful.

wellboytoo

I hope they plan to open retail onto Conduit lane it would really wake that street up and open up the Town again.

BBM77

Sully wrote: »

Either way, either solution would be an eyesore. But we have potential now to develop a smaller scale project or to sell them into individual blocks. If it were built, we wouldn't have as much flexibility.

What are you on about? The scale of development that got planning permission was appropriate for Waterford. Frankly building anything less on that site would be extremely short-sighted. Don’t forget we won’t always be in a recession not to mention that Waterford is currently nowhere near achieving its retail potential. Pennys building TWO extensions is proof of that.

Sully

BBM77 wrote: »

What are you on about? The scale of development that got planning permission was appropriate for Waterford. Frankly building anything less on that site would be extremely short-sighted. Don’t forget we won’t always be in a recession not to mention that Waterford is currently nowhere near achieving its retail potential. Pennys building TWO extensions is proof of that.

I'm on about if it was built but left idle. Not if it was built and used.

7upfree

BBM77 wrote: »

What are you on about? The scale of development that got planning permission was appropriate for Waterford. Frankly building anything less on that site would be extremely short-sighted. Don’t forget we won’t always be in a recession not to mention that Waterford is currently nowhere near achieving its retail potential. Pennys building TWO extensions is proof of that.

Good point. The problem is that some people are prepared to accept second best every time. Sadly. That's what has Waterford City where it is now. And that goes all the way up to the Authorities.

danjo-xx

Hopefully we'll see a much expanded mens department.:)

niallo76

It is a great news that a well established and successful shop is extending its premises,obviously creating more jobs.Yet it's a shame that yet another Hotel/Bar will be lost to the city.The Belfry Hotel,although,it had not been trading for the last couple of years,was ideally situated in the city--but there seems to be a real lack of sizeable bar/hotels in the centre of the city.

Jason Todd

niallo76 wrote: »

It is a great news that a well established and successful shop is extending its premises,obviously creating more jobs.Yet it's a shame that yet another Hotel/Bar will be lost to the city.The Belfry Hotel,although,it had not been trading for the last couple of years,was ideally situated in the city--but there seems to be a real lack of sizeable bar/hotels in the centre of the city.

Yeah, it was a fine place alright. Was cosy and the food was nice. It's exactly the kind of place I'd like to stay when looking at staying in a city centre. Still, at least the shell is being put to use.

PremierDeise

wellboytoo wrote: »

I hope they plan to open retail onto Conduit lane it would really wake that street up and open up the Town again.

That would actually make a massive difference!

moose3844

Ah happy days so, Finally some good news for waterford. Hopefully it means more jobs on the horizon

Dunmoreroader

niallo76 wrote: »

It is a great news that a well established and successful shop is extending its premises,obviously creating more jobs.Yet it's a shame that yet another Hotel/Bar will be lost to the city.The Belfry Hotel,although,it had not been trading for the last couple of years,was ideally situated in the city--but there seems to be a real lack of sizeable bar/hotels in the centre of the city.

I think we're ok for hotel rooms, hence the demise of The Belfry, The Ardree and others but we do need more restaurant/bars in the city centre. The ideal would be 2 or 3 facing out onto John Roberts Sq. with outdoor seating and awnings for the summertime, bit of live music playing in the middle, create a bit of a buzz after the shops have closed. I'm thinking Quay Street Galway with more room. Maybe the city council need to get proactive with this new city centre business assoc. to do something like this, if they're not already?

Deisegodeo

While it is most welcome to see the expansion of Penneys and the associated job creation at construction stage, I hope there is some sort of plan for the street at Conduit Lane. A big wall or warehouse type construction will not be good for that street. At least with the hotel there, there was a bit of life on the street. I'd fear that this street could become a dark alley type street if there are not business units along the street.

BBM77

Deisegodeo wrote: »

While it is most welcome to see the expansion of Penneys and the associated job creation at construction stage, I hope there is some sort of plan for the street at Conduit Lane. A big wall or warehouse type construction will not be good for that street. At least with the hotel there, there was a bit of life on the street. I'd fear that this street could become a dark alley type street if there are not business units along the street.

There is going to be an entrance into Pennys from Conduit Lane so that won't be a problem.

Max Powers

BBM77 wrote: »

There is going to be an entrance into Pennys from Conduit Lane so that won't be a problem.

im surprised they are knocking it all, must be cheaper than a renovation. This is partly the reason why we cant attract some more big retail at the moment. They want specific places, floor plans etc, doing up a premises say like the olde stand just doesnt appeal to them. Would love to see Newgate kick off again, even a slimmed down version. Speaking of which, are they knocking the houses along newgate street, all fenced off with demolition name on fence.

BBM77

Max Powers wrote: »

im surprised they are knocking it all, must be cheaper than a renovation. This is partly the reason why we cant attract some more big retail at the moment. They want specific places, floor plans etc, doing up a premises say like the olde stand just doesnt appeal to them. Would love to see Newgate kick off again, even a slimmed down version. Speaking of which, are they knocking the houses along newgate street, all fenced off with demolition name on fence.

I would say another reason is that the concrete from the hotel can be sold for recycling and there is a lot of scrap metal as well so these would help make knocking it cheaper.

Also, it is in the News and Star this week about the Newgate Centre that:

“…meetings have been taking place with regard to the re-design of the shopping development, and he hopes a planning application will be forthcoming in relation to a smaller, but still substantial development, in the future.”

http://www.waterford-news.ie/2013/07/23/demolition-of-derelict-buildings-underway/

I would also love to see the Newgate Centre started. I would though rather see the plan as is built but if the new plan allowed for extensions in the future then I suppose that would be a good compromise. I just think Waterford really needs to be ambitious (but realistic) with the Newgate Centre and not settle of a second class option.

Hoffmans

the lane is looking a lot brighter as is the cathedral since that rediculous hotel has been torn down , hope they dont block it all off again......