Green light given to turn old Laois Post Office into new business 

Planning permission has been granted to convert the old Post Office in Durrow, Co Laois, into a new business. 

An application was lodged by Miriam Harrison Sports & Injury Clinic for the change of use of the protected structure at Chapel Street, Durrow, Laois into a Physiotherapy Clinic and Pilates studio.

The original application, which was lodged in March, 2025, sought permission to convert the existing Post Office on ground floor (100 sq m) to Physio clinic, works include removal of shop counter/internal partitions, three new treatment rooms, toilet, stairs, store, shopfront signage and rear elevation door & window replacement.

The application also sought permission to convert the existing residential first floor (70 sq m) to Pilates studio, works include removal of internal partitions, enlarging opening in rear internal wall, new open plan Pilates studio, store and stairs and all associated works.

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Conditional permission was granted for the plans on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, with 9 conditions set out.

The new development will consist of:

• Conversion of existing Post Office on ground floor (100 sq m) to Physio clinic, works include removal of shop counter/internal partitions, three new treatment rooms, toilet, stairs, store, shopfront signage and rear elevation door & window replacement
• Conversion of existing Residential first floor (70 sq m) to Pilates studio, works include removal of internal partitions, enlarging opening in rear internal wall, new open plan Pilates studio, store and stairs And all associated works.

The building, which is a protected structure, was a shop selling groceries, coffee, tea, salt, cigarettes etc. in the late '50s and by the late '60s, Lawrence Mahony was running a hardware and grocery shop, paints, wallpapers and china.

The building became a Post Office around 50 years ago (1975) and it existed on this site until 2024.

It was announced last year that the post office service in the town would transfer to the local Daybreak.