LATEST: 'Source of concern that this Thurles property has not been utilised'
A number of people had expressed interest in acquiring the building in the past, but An Post was not minded to sell at the time.
Five years after the iconic Post Office building in Liberty Square, Thurles was vacated in favour of a new home in Thurles Shopping Centre, An Post has finally decided to put the premises on the market.
A number of people had expressed interest in acquiring the building in the past, but An Post was not minded to sell at the time.
However, it appears that a change of heart has materialised and agents have now been appointed to put the building and extensive yards on the market.
There was much public uproar when An Post announced that it was closing the Post Office building on Liberty Square, with many predicting that its loss would have catastrophic consequences for business in the town centre.
Since then lower Liberty Square has undergone a multi-million Euro facelift and the upper section is due to be tended to in the coming months as well, thereby enhancing the famous old Square which hosted the mart, the market and the fair for many years in Thurles' distinguished past.
The Post Office building has been left vacant since the last workers left the premises in 2019 with the Sorting Office having been moved to Turtulla Thurles and the office to Thurles Shopping Centre. But, in fairness to An Post the premises has been maintained externally at least and though closed it has not detracted from a visual perspective.
Independent Tipperary TD Deputy Michael Lowry, who has been engaging with An Post to dispose of the town centre property, said this week: “Further to my repeated representations the board of An Post made a formal decision to sell the old post office building on Liberty Square. Selling agents have been appointed and the property is now on the market. It has been a source of concern that this property has not been utilised. There are clients who previously expressed interest in the property. It would be very welcome to see the heritage building repurposed and brought back into use,” Deputy Lowry said.
The Post Office building is a substantial property with large sheds and yard space to the rear which backs onto the CBS Secondary School. And, given its location right in the heart of the town, it is likely to command a lot of interest from business people. Yes, it would require significant investment to bring up to modern standard but a refurbishment and renovation could be supported by many of the urban regeneration and town centre vacant building grants which are available through the government at the present time.
Depending on the proposed new use of the building, planning permission may be required for change of use.