Former Ken Black toy shop in Laois up for sale at nearly €1 million
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The original Ken Black toy shop in Laois has gone up for sale on the Laois property market, with an asking price of almost €1 million.
The price includes three near derelict properties, that run from Main Street back to Lyster Square, on sale as a package or separately.
The buildings have been idle for some 30 years. They are boarded up and partly sprayed with graffiti. They were recently chosen to be bought by Compulsory Purchase Order by Laois County Council, in efforts to tackle dereliction and vacancy in the town centre.
The council has applied to An Coimisiún Pleanála to approve the CPO, with that decision pending in August.
The council was asked by Laois Life / Leinster Express to confirm if it has suspended the CPO process due to the properties being placed on the property market, and gave the following statement.
“Laois County Council commenced the CPO process in relation to the 88 Main Street, Lyster Lane/Peppers Lane in January 2026 .
“Laois County Council has no further comments as this is a live CPO due for decision by An Comisiuin Pleanala in August 2026.”
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Number 88 and 89 Main Street have an asking price of €225,000, and a floor size of 143 sqm (1,539 sq ft).
The main shop built behind it, extending back to a lane off Lyster Square is priced at €600,000, sized at 1,070 sqm (11,526 sq ft).
The bungalow facing Lyster Square is priced at €125,000.
The auctioneer, Kildare based Lavelle Commercial Property, notes that the the two storey building fronting Main Street has a rear yard and a substantial, mainly two storey commercial building to the rear.
“The property is located fronting Main Street, Portlaoise. 88/89 Main Street is in basic condition and was previously a retail unit on the ground floor and residential accommodation overhead, in basic condition. May qualify for Vacant above the Shop grant.
“The bulk of the property has frontage to a lane leading onto Lyster Square and extends through to Main Street. Mainly two storey commercial building to the rear, of more modern construction.
“Includes a single storey detached house on its own site fronting Lyster Square. With off street parking and rear garden fronting Lyster Square in need of refurbishment/repair.May Qualify for Vacant House Grant.
They say there is a “demand for possible alternative uses”. The entire is zoned Town Centre (Primary/Core Retail Area) with Potential redevelopment opportunity.”
Viewing by prospective buyers is by appointment only.
The shop and house were home to the Black family and their business, before the new Ken Black superstore was built in Kylekiproe some 30 years ago.