Local businessman expresses delight at decision to allow development of old Texas site

LOCAL businessman Tony Flanagan said he is delighted with the decision by Offaly county Council to grant planning permission for the development of the former Texas/Tesco site in Tullamore.

''This is an ideal opportunity to improve the retail offering of the town centre. Once the planning process is complete we look forward to commencing the development of this site,'' he said.
The area which has lain idle for a long number of years was bought by Tony Flanagan of Weavermay and Seamus Kane of Cayenne Holdings in 2018. It was later divided in half by agreement of both parties. The two men have different plans for their respective sections.

A statement from Weavermay Ltd said it, ''welcomes Offaly County Council's decision to grant planning permission for the development of a portion of the former Texas site.

We would like to thank Offaly County Council, Deputy Barry Cowen and the local councillors who supported this application.''

The statement continued: ''This site has been unoccupied for the past fifteen years and this decision will stimulate investment in a key area of the town.''

Laois Offaly TD Barry Cowen said the decision will be a major boost for Tullamore Town Centre.

The development will include a retail store, cafe, ancillary retail units and office accommodation. It will also provide ample car parking facilities.

''This development now offers a great opportunity to kick start the regeneration of a town centre site that has remained derelict for the last 15 years,'' said Deputy Cowen.

''The project as well as other recently announced investments in adjoining properties will be a much-needed boost for all businesses in the town.''

The old site has a chequered history and was once a thriving retail hub with the busy Texas store on one side drawing people from all over Ireland and Tesco supermarket on the other. However, once Tesco moved out to new larger premises at Cloncollig in Tullamore and Texas closed the area fell into serious disrepair.

In 2008 businessman Eamon Duignan announced he was planning to build a major new shopping centre at the same site. The plan incorporated the former Texas and Tesco stores and faced out onto William Street with Pennys to be the anchor tenant.

However, the economic crash happened soon after and the plans were put on hold indefinitely.

Weavermay first applied to develop the former Texas site in 2020. However, the council described it as a prime opportunity site and asked instead for a masterplan for the area. Weavermay subsequently withdrew its application and a new plan was drawn up and submitted in 2021.

The application described the proposed buildings as attractive and reflective of the best of modern design as well as respecting the existing established built environment. It contended that the site allows for the potential formation of a new urban quarter in Tullamore.

The application went on to say the development proposes to create a new attractive public space which would reinvigorate the area and hopefully be a catalyst for development in the town at large.

Offaly County Council decided to put that plan on hold in order to seek more information. The local authority has now made its decision and Tullamore can look forward to a new retail area in the heart of the town.

The new development will complement the planned Riverside retail and residential scheme for Church Road which was recently granted permission.

The massive €20 million development will be located on 4.25 hectares on the former Coen's site and will consist of five blocks housing a cinema, garden centre, apartments and retail outlets.