Planning permission is being sought to turn a well-known Donegal Town pub into a cafe and shop.
The Scotsman’s Bar on Bridge Street, which has been closed since the pandemic, is set to get a new lease of life under plans submitted to Donegal County Council.
Applicant Michael John Gavigan, who purchased the building recently, is seeking to convert the ground floor from a bar and lounge to a retail shop and coffee shop.
The changes include adding skylights and roof lights, and creating an external terrace to the exciting terraced property, which is a protected structure.
Additionally, the first and second floors will be converted into two one-bedroom apartments. A flat-roof extension will be built to provide a stairwell and balconies for the apartments. The building’s exterior will be modified, with a new shopfront and entrance, and other site development works will be carried out.
As part of the application, Paul Doherty Architects said: “This building formerly the Scotsman’s Bar, has been vacant since the Covid 19 closures and has remained closed since, the existing shopfront onto Bridge Street has deteriorated very badly and is presenting a very unsightly and unpleasant elevation onto the public realm in the centre of Donegal Town.
They added: “The proposal to alter and refurbish this vacant building will bring new life to this town centre building and is in accordance with the proper planning and development of the area.”