Conditional planning permission has been granted for the renovation of a Laois restaurant into office spaces.

Mr Michael Kavanagh, owner of the premises formerly known as Ruchi Indian restaurant on Portlaoise's Railway Street, has been granted permission to repurpose the restaurant into office spaces. 

Laois County Council have granted permission subject to eight conditions related to signage, lighting and environmental impacts of the works. 

Pictured: Ruchi Indian restaurant will now become office spaces

The business first opened in 2022, and recently closed its doors.

"Over the years this unit has had a number of attempts at a restaurant and all have failed," the planning application read.

"With the growing demand for office space the applicant is seeking to change the use on same."

Under the original planning application, the building was initially planned to be a shop unit, before planning permission was granted to become a restaurant unit.

In their application, the applicant referenced that permission was granted for Laois Partnership Company's change of use from the former St Francis' primary school to offices and training unit and all associated works. 

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