Laois florist to be turned into betting shop

Boyle Sports has been granted permission to turn a Laois florist into a bookmakers. 

Laois County Council approved the application by Boyle Sports 2 Unlimited Co to turn the Mountmellick florist into a betting shop subject to 11 conditions. 

Boyle Sports had applied to “change the use of existing retail unit(R32 CK6A Yvonne’s Florist) to a Turf Accountants and amalgamation of retail unit with existing adjacent Turf Accountants(R32 AT27) to form a single premises including all internal demolitions, alterations, revised signage and all associated siteworks.”

A letter from Boyle Sport’s Director of Property and Development to planners outlined the purpose of the conversion of the florist. 

“I refer to the Planning application for change of use of existing retail unit(R32 CK6A Yvonne’s Florist) to a Turf Accountants and amalgamation of retail unit with existing Turf Accountants(R32 AT27) to form a single premises and I would like to confirm the following.

Boylesports currently operate a betting shop at 11 Patrick Street, Mountmellick and it is our intention, if successful with our planning application, to transfer / relocate our business to the new unit at Emmett Street,” he said. 

“It is not our intention to trade/ add a second Bookmaking shop here but simply to relocate to a better premises (part of which previously traded as a Turf Accountant) and bring this current vacant property back into commercial use and provide further investment and jobs in the area,” he explained. 

Laois playground allocation welcomed

The application was lodged with Laois County Council on February 15 and approved on Tuesday, April 4.