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THE contents of a landmark Tyrone business are to be sold off this weekend.
McCafferty’s Antiques and Art store has been at the centre of life in Sion Mills for many years.
Located at Victoria Place on the village’s main street, the shop has long been a favourite with antiques enthusiasts and art lovers from throughout Tyrone and further afield.
However, a planning application was recently launched with Derry City and Strabane District to turn the shop into a centre for the teaching and promotion of the Irish language.
As a result, an auction is being held this weekend to sell off the contents of the antiques shop.
Among the items being sold are clocks, vintage furniture and musical instruments.
The auction will take place over two days, starting at 7pm on Friday evening and then again at 11.30am on Saturday.
If granted planning permission, the proposed new language centre in the heart of Sion Mills would be managed by Pobal Mhuileann an tSiáin, a community group based in the village which organises weekly Irish language classes.
A Design Access Statement submitted with the planning application for McCafferty’s shop highlights that although the shop building is not listed, it is located within the Sion Mills Conservation area.
“The proposed change of use to a community use will help to keep the building in active use to and ensure that the building fabric and character of the area is maintained,” the statement adds.
However, one local resident has written to the council, objecting to proposed change of use for the shop.
In their letter of objection, the resident said it would result in the ‘loss of a valuable commercial property’ in Sion Mills and also raised concerns about ‘inadequate’ parking at the building, which is located on the main A5 between Strabane and Omagh.
However, in a letter to the council in support of the planning application, Father Sean O’Donnell, parish priest of the Sion Mills parish, said he had agreed to allow users of the proposed new language centre to park at the nearby St Teresa’s Church in order to ease any parking difficulties.
The planning application is currently examined by the council’s planning department before a final decision is made.
