Sale of buildings could help revamp Lifford

AN overhaul of Lifford’s Main Street could be on the cards with three buildings in line for possible redevelopment.

A former gambling arcade is to become a bookmakers following the granting of planning permission while a second amusements and an old cinema are up for sale.

Boyle Sports has been given the go ahead to open a branch in a premises which has lain dormant for a number of years. The firm already has two shops in Lifford and it is not clear if any of these will close to make way for the new outlet.

Donegal County Council granted permission for the bookies with only a small number of caveats. One of these was around signage as the former amusements building is of some age.

Unique

The local authority said that while the property is not on Ireland’s Record of Protected Structures it does have “unique design in terms of traditional shop frontage and windows/doors along Lifford Main Street”.

“A plaque along front elevation indicates the construction of this building circa 1941,” according to planners.

Meanwhile a neighbouring building, also a former amusement arcade and more recently a boxing club, is on the market with an asking price of €85,000. It comes with full planning permission for two ground floor commercial units and three residential units.