Future of closed Roscrea hotel explored at public consultation session

Exploring options for the future of a closed hotel in Roscrea town centre at a public consultation session last week saw several interesting proposals put forward on how the building can be restored to functionality and return to the hospitality business.

The Damer Court Hotel on Castle Street (formerly Grant's Hotel and the Pathé Hotel) is privately owned and has been closed for almost 12 years and is for sale.

The building, which has a commanding presence in the heart of the town is located across the street from Roscrea Castle and is the subject of a feasibility study to examine if the building can be refurbished and possibly purchased by the State and operated under a unique 'community hotel' model.

€150,000 was made available to the local authority to perform the evaluation, which is now at an advanced stage where public submissions are welcome and blueprints of what the potential finished project will be and how the business will operate are being drafted.

There was a good turnout of local people at the consultation session in the Blackmills complex on Thursday last and an online portal has been created for people to make submissions directly to the council about what they want for the future of the closed hotel.

Two proposals were on display, one which incorporates apartment housing into the build and a second design with a higher number of hotel bedrooms - both designs retain the Castle Street facing section of the building and include a complete revamp of the rear courtyard portion of the site, which is adjacent to the Moneen River and offers opportunities to open a passage from Lourdes Road to Castle Street.

READ MORE: Sale sign on Roscrea hotel heightens concerns among local people

The design incorporating housing includes 10 hotel bedrooms and two four bedroom apartments and seven other apartments with less rooms.

The other proposal suggests a 21 bedroom hotel replete with a community hub and large kitchen which could expand into a Meals on Wheels service.

The designs were created by architecture firm Studio Myco and Tipperary County Council's Shane Grogan from the Housing Department was in the Blackmills explaining the proposed designs, as well as opening discussion with local people about the limitations and possibilities of the building.

The final results of the study are anticipated to be published by the end of March and the local authority encourage anyone interested in the building's future to engage and submit their ideas.

READ MORE: Roscrea hotel feasibility study 'waste of taxpayers money' says local TD

The Council are looking for feedback from the community of Roscrea on the potential uses for the site with a view to “enhancing the attractiveness of Roscrea as a town to love, work, visit and do business”.

If you were unable to attend the in-person session you can still have your say by emailing tcf@tipperarycoco.ie and use the subject line 'Roscrea Feasibility Study'.

NEEDS DÁIL MEMBERS SUPPORT

Speaking after the public consultation, local councillor Michael Smith (FF) who first proposed expanding the Town First rejuvenation plans for the town centre hotel after the closure and repurposing of the Racket Hall Hotel as emergency accommodation last year, is calling for Tipperary's Dáil representatives to back the proposal.

Describing the proposal as ambitious, progressive and exciting, Cllr Smith and the success of the community hotel model has already been proven by a similar enterprise in county Monaghan.

Calling on Tipperary's TD's to back the report on the proposal for the betterment of the town, Cllr Smith acknowledged the challenges of restoring the building to working condition and stressed the urgent need for a hospitality business in the heritage town.