EXCLUSIVE
A new seven screen cinema is being planned for Dundalk Retail Park.
David Carson, the receiver and manager over Finnabair Estates Limited (who are in receivership), has applied to Dundalk Town Council to convert three units at the retail park into a cinema.
The units in question – 2, 3 and 4 – were all formerly occupied by Harvey Norman, who closed its doors in Dundalk at the start of summer.
The application, if successful, would see a seven screen cinema built at the retail park including an entrance foyer with ticket kiosk, food and beverage stalls, a coffee shop, service and ciculation areas and toilets.
A new main entrance would also be created at unit 2, closing off the entrances to units 3 and 4. There are also proposals for new emergency exits and for the construction of an internal wall between units 4 and 5 to facilitate unit 5 to operate as a standalone retail warehouse unit.
A decision matter is set to be made by November 5th.
Movies @ had previously been granted planning permission for a new cinema at Finnabair Estate but despite plans to open it in 2010, it never got off the ground.
That cinema was to accommodate 1,800 movie fans at any given time and would have cost in the region of €12 million.
The new operators of the planned cinema have not been revealed but, if successful, they would go head to head with IMC in Carroll Village, who have been operating the cinema in Dundalk since 1999.
