Sale sign on Roscrea hotel heightens concerns among local people

The erection of a sale sign on a hotel in the centre of Roscrea town caused some concerns among local people yesterday, after the premises was designated to become a 'community hotel' in the wake of the closure of the former Racket Hall Hotel in January.

The Damer Court Hotel on Roscrea's Castle Street, formerly known as Grant's Hotel and the Pathé Hotel, closed in 2013 and became a central issue in the protests and government response which were triggered at the start of the year over the decision to repurpose the Racket Hall Hotel, located on the northern outskirts of the town, as emergency accommodation for families seeking international protection in Ireland.

The Castle Street hotel, which has laid dormant for over a decade, is the subject of government plans to create a 'community hotel' model - a plan first proposed by local Fianna Fáil Councillor, Michael Smith and his party colleague and Tipperary TD, Jackie Cahill, as a solution to the loss of the heritage town's main tourist accommodation and social hub for family and local events.

€150,000 was secured by Tipperary County Council to carry out a feasibility study to examine the building's integrity and if it would be suitable to resume functionality as a hospitality business. After the erection of the sale sign on Tuesday elected representatives say the community hotel project is proceeding.

However, local people's concerns have been heightened by the sale sign, as the building is not yet owned by the state and could be purchased by a private developer who may not want to engage in a hospitality based business.

It is understood a bid from a private individual to purchase the building has been submitted, but elected representatives remain confident their plans for a community hotel will not be derailed.

Deputy Jackie Cahill moved to reassure local people on radio on Wednesday morning and said the hotel has been for sale for a long time and that once the feasibility study is complete the plans for a community hotel will proceed.

Deputy Cahill told TippFM radio the feasibility study is required to assess how much refurbishment is required and that public money is not spent recklessly. 

"Once the feasibility study is complete we will go back to three party leaders to ask them to honour the commitment we gave - it will be a community hotel and there are various other options, it's a big premises and it can be used for a lot for the town of Roscrea and will be part of the revitalisation of the town centre of Roscrea", Deputy Cahill said.

Speaking about the sign Deputy Cahill said he "can understand the owner" as the property has been on the market for many years.

"We have to get the costings right - this is public money we're spending and we have to know what this will cost the taxpayer and that we bring realistic estimates to the party leaders to get the commitment we've given honoured", Deputy Cahill said, adding the results of the feasibility study are expected "in the next couple of weeks" and that he and Cllr. Smith want to see the plans proceed as expeditiously as possible.