Concern for Portlaoise Main Street with two 'massive' buildings vacated

Two "massive" commercial buildings in Portlaoise town centre have been recently vacated, and it is a concern says a Laois councillor. 

The Pantry Café, a popular eatery on Main Street, last week made the shock announcement that it was closing immediately.

Earlier in August, the social services office serving the Portlaoise area vacated their large building on Church Street for a smaller office nearby.

The new social services office on Railway Street in Portlaoise, in place of an Indian restaurant. Photos: Leinster Express

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley says that "a fortune" has been spent on Portlaoise Main Street by Laois County Council.

"The Pantry was a fantastic café and restaurant that was doing brilliant, it is a huge loss to Main Street and a loss to those who are losing their jobs. The owners have good reason for moving on. I hope to see somebody else going into that facility.

"My mother worked in Gray's restaurant for years, to see that it could be left empty. 

"The social welfare on Church Street is empty, it has moved. That's a massive buiding. I hope we're not going backward. We put so much investment to bring the status of Main Street up. We spent a fortune on the library. It would be dreadful to see two massive buildings empty," she said.

She was one of several Portlaoise Municipal District members who paid tribute to the proprietors of The Pantry, Mark Healy and Ladonna MaCartan, at their September meeting. The couple will continue to run the Nook & Cranny giftshop also on Main Street.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald wished them well.

"Ladonna and Mark have been a huge part of the business community in Portlaoise, giving so much time and effort. Their businesses are well known and a great attraction, it is sad it is closing. I wish them all well, hopefully something happens," she said.

Cllr Marie Tuohy also sent good wishes.

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"It is such a loss. It was so iconic, and so involved with the community. Their staff love Ladonna and Mark. I do think the cost of running a hospitality business, a lot of businesses are just clinging on. I wish Ladonna and Mark and their staff all the best going forward," Cllr Tuohy said.

Both vacant premises have long histories of commercial businesses. The Church street building was once a hardware shop, later a bookshop.The café has operated as an eatery for some 80 years, under several different owners and names.