The Dublin City Council rejected a planning retention request from Fashionflo Investments Ltd for the ‘Seasons of Ireland’ souvenir shop at 111 Grafton Street. According to the Council, the establishment of such an outlet on Grafton Street would create an undesired pattern for similar developments and potentially lower property values in the area. The Council further argued that the survival of the unit would disrupt the proper mix and proportion of uses on this part of Grafton Street, particularly higher-ranking retail outlets, hence compromising its image as a high-end shopping vicinity.
The council’s position concurred with the planner’s deduction that the souvenir shop concept would not elevate Grafton Street’s standing as a top-tier shopping destination. The planner’s report also indicated that allowing the unit to continue operating as a souvenir establishment might disrupt the Grafton Street’s balance of higher-end retail facilities, leading to an excess of non-fashion or non-fashion-related uses.
The applicants, however, argued that the proposed souvenir shop wouldn’t lead to an oversupply. The council, last year, instituted planning enforcement proceedings over the shop’s change of use to a souvenir shop.
Thornton O’Connor Town Planning, who filed a planning report in support of the application, pointed out that the development signifies the introduction of a small, independent Irish retail brand to Dublin’s high-status street. They believed this could significantly benefit the city by providing a unique offering, unavailable elsewhere, thus characterising Dublin as a distinct city. The unit plans to use top-quality materials for its interior and envisages a warm, appealing space on Grafton Street’s north side.
The planning report states that Fashionflo Investments has successfully run a souvenir shop on Grafton Street for more than 27 years, since 1996. The firm ended its lease at 34 Grafton Street, resulting in a move to 111 Grafton Street, where Seasons of Ireland has been in operation since the previous summer. The report also highlights that an application allowing a change of use from the retail to souvenir shop at the neighbouring property at 110 Grafton Street was approved in 2014, indicating the acceptability of similar change of use at this location.
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