Green light given to convert old post office in Laois town into café

Planning permission has been granted to transform the derelict former post office in Portarlington into a café and restaurant.

BASS Property Partnership submitted a planning application to convert the old post office on Main Street in Portarlington in November 2025. 

The post office has laid vacant for a number of years and was eventually sold in June of last year after being put up for sale with a guide price of €350,000. 

The planning application sought permission to change the use of the former post office into a café / restaurant which would also include using the ground floor of the three-storey Georgian house adjacent to it to give an an additional floor area of 27m².

The outside of the former post office and the neighbouring Georgian building on Main Street.

Both of the buildings are protected structures. 

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The application also includes plans to construct a 15m² rear single storey lean-to extension behind the building to provide an accessible toilet for customers which will be bounded by a 2.1m capped stone wall.

Inside the post office building.

This stone wall will also create a 25 m² outdoor space at the rear of the property. 

According to Conservation Report on the proposed changes to the old post office and neighbouring Georgian building, "the proposals for the design of the new café and restaurant are respectful to the site in terms of scale and massing.

The report also found that the application is respectful of the character and historic context of the building.

The proposal was given the green light by Laois County Council in March, on the basis of 17 conditions. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme