Moves to convert former cinema into a retail store

By Maurice Garvey

RECEIVER Tom Kavanagh has applied for planning permission to introduce a retail store at the Gala building on Ballyfermot Road – while concerns exist in the community surrounding asbestos in the roof of the vacant premises.

Local Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh, who has a constituency office near the Gala building, says “it is not appropriate that any new activity occurs there without the asbestos roof being replaced.”

This is a view shared by local traders, who have also expressed concern at the length of time the building has remained dormant.

Plans lodged by Tom Kavanagh (receiver over certain assets of Gala Leisure) with Dublin City Council, contain proposals for permission to change the use of the former bingo hall into a retail store.

Proposed works consist of modifications, including replacing the existing signage with new signage, new delivery access to the rear of the site at Blackditch Road, and modifications to the internal layout of the building.

Council planners asked Kavanagh to provide the deed of appointment, and a letter of appointment on headed paper stating he is receiver for the property.

Tom Kavanagh, of Kavanagh Fennell, was appointed as receiver to Gala Leisure Centre Limited in February 2014.

Kavanagh Fennell was subsequently bought out by brokers Deloitte, with all of Kavanagh Fennell’s 53 employees joining Deloitte’s corporate finance department.

The Gala was operated by the Kearney family, and opened as a cinema in 1955.

Over the years it became a dance hall, a roller rink and in more recent times, the building operated as a bingo hall and leisure centre.

Tom Kavanagh, a partner in restructuring services at Deloitte, did not respond to The Echo at the time of going to print.
Dublin City Council have yet to make a decision on the planning application.