After the recent re-opening of the Austin Friars Hotel in the centre of Mullingar, its neighbour the Annebrook Hotel continues the positive trend by converting 121sqm of its premises on the first floor from an aparthotel into a fitness spa, after it was granted permission to do so by the county council this week.
A slightly larger scheme is planned by Ray Byrne and Jane English for the Wineport in Glasson.
A decision is expected within the next fortnight on their plans to build a 2-storey cookery school, an additional 10 bedrooms, a 49sqm extension to the existing restaurant and to increase their car park to 110 spaces.
Also awaiting a similar, if smaller decision in the south of the county are John and Oliver McGrath, who hope to convert the first floor offices at 7 Main Street, Athlone into a cafe. A decision is due within a week.
Back in Mullingar, TC Coyne Ltd has been given the nod to convert 15 parking spaces and a bicycle storage area into another two, ground floor apartments at the new Tailteann Court on the Longford Road.
Elsewhere in the county, Vodafone will be putting up a 24m mast at Derrynagarragh in Castlepollard and Peter Forde in Coralstown is going to put a 15m wind turbine on a new shed he is erecting on his property.
