Plans to convert former Laois pub into an Indian restaurant

A planning application has been lodged to convert a former pub in the heart of Mountrath into an Indian restaurant. 

Mazhar Iqbal has applied for permission to convert the former pub, which was called The Drovers, into a restaurant at Market Square in Mountrath. 

According to documents submitted by an accountant on behalf of the applicant, the Indian restaurant would support five jobs in the town including its two owners. The document notes that three employees will live in the accommodation above the restaurant. 

“I am advised that the restaurant will specialise in Indian food and will have seating for approximately 20. The business is envisaged to complement existing alternative food offerings available in the town,” the accountant states. 

“The applicant currently operate a somewhat similar business at the Main Street, Rathdowney. The proposed business in Mountrath is to meet the evident demand shown by the number of customer travelling to the Rathdowney outlet and deliveries currently been made to the Mountrath area,” the document explains. 

The proposal involves “the conversion from previously pub and restaurant to a full food services business, using the existing kitchens and food storage and preparation areas.” 

The applicant states that  “the proposed business in Mountrath is to meet the evident demand shown by the number of customer travelling to the Rathdowney outlet and deliveries currently been made to the Mountrath area.”

If approved, the Indian restaurant will open from 4pm to midnight seven days a week. 

The plan for a “change use of existing disused public house area to use as a restaurant and take away and all associated ancillary signage and site works” was lodged on March 31. 

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Laois County Council is expected to decide on the plans by May 25.