Big retail chain in Laois lodges planning application for Click and Collect service

A planning application has been lodged for retention permission for a portacabin that operates the Click and Collect service for Dunnes Stores in the Barrow Valley Retail Park in Graiguecullen.

Better Value Unlimited Company has applied to Laois County Council for retention of a 43 sqm portacabin, ramp, and Armco barrier located within the Dunnes Stores Supermarket Service Yard. The portacabin is used as an Online Pick Room (i.e. for the processing and storage of  online click-and-collect grocery orders). Permission is also sought to extend the service yard’s overhead canopy, and all other associated and ancillary site/development works.

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The planning documents outline the benefit of having the Click and Collect service: "The retention of the store’s online pick room allows customers to shop and pay for groceries either in person or online, helping to retain convenience spending within the Carlow and  Graiguecullen area. Since customers still need to visit the store to collect their purchases, footfall levels at the centre will remain steady. This maintains opportunities for linked trips to  other commercial units within the retail park which will help maintain the vitality and viability of  the Graiguecullen district centre."

In relation to the extension of the service yard’s overhead canopy, the planning documents state: "The existing canopy in the service yard currently covers only a small area above the entrance to the store’s stock room area. To protect the service yard from inclement weather, permission is  sought to extend the canopy over the service yard. 

A decision is due to be made by council planners by May 29, 2025 with submissions being accepted until May 8.