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20 Jan 2026
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20 Jan 2026
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The double facades of the former Ken Black toy shop in Portlaoise. Photos: Leinster Express
A derelict Laois property that was once the flagship first store of Irish toy business Ken Black Toys, is to be forcibly bought up by Laois County Council.
Number 88 Main Street in Portlaoise, which extends back to a second shopfront on Pepper's Lane/ Lyster Lane, is to be bought up by Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), forcing the owner to sell it at market value to the council.
It was once owned by the Black family in Portlaoise and became the first Ken Black toy store some 40 years ago, later extending back to open onto Pepper's Lane. The building was vacated when a new large shop was built in Kylekiproe beside the Kyle Centre in the 1990s.
It was occupied by a ladies boutique for a period around 2009 but has been vacant for over a decade, and had fallen into dereliction. Its facade is painted with graffiti.
Laois County Council describe it as:
"A derelict site comprising two-storey commercial units and surrounding land situate at 88 Main Street, Lyster Lane/Pepper’s Lane, Portlaoise containing 0.0938 hectares or thereabouts. The said property and surrounding land is in a state of dereliction."
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Laois County Council has put a map of the site on public display, for any submissions by the owner or occupier. If any submission is made, the council must then get approval of An Coimisiún Pleanála to carry on with the CPO.
The full notice is in this week's Leinster Express newspaper out this Tuesday, January 20.
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