A continental-style outdoor dining area is to be created at Letterkenny’s An Grianán Theatre. Councillors have approved the development of a raised platform and matching ground level space with the capacity to cater for up to 50 people. A canopy will be built to shelter diners while trees and windbreaks will also be installed along with projection lighting. Seating steps are also to be introduced as part of the scheme.
The ‘Eat Out’ infrastructure is designed to address the shortage in communal dining space that exists in Letterkenny at present. It is being viewed as an important component of the wider regeneration of the town as laid out in the ‘Letterkenny 2040’ programme.
At the latest plenary meeting of Donegal County Council, members approved a report from Senior Executive Planner Sinead McCauley.
She said, “The installation of the proposed development will support surrounding hospitality businesses by delivering structured provision of communal outdoor dining in Letterkenny where there is a lack of space of this nature at present across the town centre.”
When not in use as a dining platform, the idea is that the area could be used as a performance space.
“Adding value to the proposed investment when not in use as outdoor dining space, the proposed raised platform has the capacity for use as sheltered performance area therefore opening up the potential for the wider public realm space to be used effectively for wider scale events, gatherings and festivals and therefore further increasing the attractiveness of the space and increasing footfall to the town centre and to the surrounding local businesses including the hospitality sector.”
On what the scheme will mean in the wider context of Letterkenny in the future, Ms McCauley added, “The overarching vision of Letterkenny 2040 is to co-deliver a vibrant, liveable and fully functioning regional centre with a flourishing population that has a strong economy, employment and housing choice, healthy and restorative environments, community and social amenities, high quality of life and positive public and civic spaces.
“The proposed development of outdoor dining space with dual capacity for performance space together with integrated tensile canopy is an important project to contribute to the wider regeneration programme, activating vibrant change on the ground and thus contributing to the growing momentum for further regenerative interventions.”
The plans were previously opened up for public comment but no submissions were received.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)