Plans for new coffee shop in historic Limerick building

PLANNING permission is being sought for a new coffee shop in Mungret.

Developers are seeking the green light from council to change the existing gate lodge building at the edge of the Mungret park to house the facility, which they say will employ two staff.

Mungret Gate Lodge Holdings, a company which has directors in Pallaskenry, has lodged an application with Limerick City and County Council.

A change of use of the existing gate lodge building to a coffee shop is being sought. At present, it is used as a private residential home.

Minor alterations are being sought to the southern side of the building, with a car parking area, a storage container and kiosk  erected.

Alongside this, an additional pedestrian access point is planned.

Built around 1850, the gate lodge building is designated as a protected structure given the amount of time it has been around.

It means very limited changes can be made to the building.

In documents presented to the council, agents for the developer state: "It has been determined by the applicant that the most economically advantageous option for this property is the proposed change of use to a coffee shop. Although it would always be preferable to retain this house in its original residential use, the change of use as proposed is a very much compatible use and will not detract in any significant way from the internal and external fabric as it exists."

"As such the building will be sensitively repurposed for the enjoyment of the community as a whole," they added.

It's proposed to operate the coffee shop between 8am and 6pm, and it's anticipated it will attract little vehicular traffic, with its footfall to come from Mungret Park.

Council is expected to make a decision by December 17 next.