Big boost for Laois employment as factory given green light for major expansion

Plans for a significant extension to First Spirits Manufacturing Company's premises in Abbeyleix have been given the green light by Laois County Council.

First Ireland Spirits applied for planning permission to extend their facility at Tullyroe just outside of Abbeyleix's town centre in July of last year.

Established in 1993, First Ireland Spirits produces and sells Irish cream liqueurs across the world. The company was purchased by Quintessential Brands Group in 2014. 

The Abbeyleix factory currently employs 52 people and this further expansion will see the creation of 12 more jobs, according to planning documents submitted last July.

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The development is set to consist of an extension to the existing factory building, the provision of a new tank farm and bunded enclosure, the provision of a new material storage facility, a new industrial gas storage tank, a new firefighting water storage tank, new staff facilities building, an extension to the existing concrete yard area, additional car parking spaces and all other associated site works.

The plans have now been granted planning permission on a conditional basis by Laois County Council. Some of these conditions include providing adequate car and bicycle parking for staff and ensuring all external finishes to the building match those of the existing structures on the site in terms of colour, materials and texture.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme