Big changes planned for one of Kilkenny City's best-known buildings
-(1).jpeg?trim=0,0,0,0&crop=&width=640&quality=70&enable=upscale)
The planning application has been lodged with Kilkenny County Council
KIDCo (Kilkenny Industrial Development Company) has submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of the old KBC Bank Premises on the Parade in Kilkenny City.
Since acquiring the old KBC bank building in 2024, KIDCo has facilitated its use for a wide variety of cultural, social enterprises and community groups.
Established in 1999, KIDCo is a locally based registered charity who engage with and support projects and activities in areas such as commerce, financial services, education, environmental sustainability, arts, culture, heritage and agricultural and food sciences.
“KIDCo is committed to enabling the development of the uses of the site for the benefit of Kilkenny and the business, social and cultural life of the city and county and that the quality of the building is an appropriate landmark for such a high profile city centre site,” a spokesperson for the company told Kilkenny Live.
“KIDCo has submitted a planning application to Kilkenny County Council and this envisages commercial and retail uses into the future which is entirely in keeping with the ambitions for the site.
“KIDCo is currently engaged with a variety of stakeholders to explore viable and sustainable long term uses of the building and is encouraged by the positive engagement and interaction it is experiencing. Plans are advancing satisfactorily and we hope to be able to make exciting public announcements in due course,” they continued.
“This is a significant project with KIDCo funding the acquisition and early-stage development costs; however a range of financial support will be sought, and detailed estimates will be part of the final feasibility studies.
“The building has a good structural frame, but the fabric of the building and services and fit-out need upgrading. The building has not been in fulltime use for several years and we are resolving problems with energy efficiency, environmental conditions, accessibility with a new elevator and toilets, and constructing new facades which will be fitting for this key site in the context of Kilkenny’s design history.”