Plans for new sit-in restaurant in Athlone town centre

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Plans have been submitted for a new sit-in restaurant in Athlone town centre.

The application was submitted by Muhammad Riaz on Friday, September 25.

The planning application involves the change of use at ground level of 23 Mardyke Street (the former Stairwell Bar and previously Murphy’s Law) from licensed bar to a sit-in restaurant.

Documents submitted as part of the application suggest the name "Abu's Restaurant" for the new eatery.

Drawings included suggest that the ground floor would consist of seating and a bathroom, with the kitchen located on the second level of the building alongside further seating.

Earlier this year, Mr Riaz made an application for a change of use for the same unit from licensed bar to restaurant / take away.

These plans were refused by Westmeath County Council due to what they referred to as “an undesirable over-concentration of takeaway and fast-food uses” in the retail centre of the town.

The premises, which fronts onto part of the recently-pedestrianised section of Mardyke Street and Sean Costello Street, traded as Murphy's Law until the summer of 2022.

It then reopened as The Stairwell gastropub, which closed towards the end of 2023.

The decision for the new application is due by Thursday, November 19.