No green light for Belfast bar apartments plan

A plan to turn the Playwright bar at Lower Crescent in Belfast into nine apartments has been refused planning permission.

Both The Playwright and TIME nightclub – located in premises once occupied by The Fly – opened their doors in September 2017 following a £1.5m investment by 1 Oak Leisure Ireland Ltd.

But Belfast City Council says the new apartments proposal is contrary to policy as it doesn’t preserve or enhance the character, architectural and historic interest of the building. It also says that the development doesn’t preserve the character of the conservation area in which it is located.

I Oak Leisure Ireland Ltd, which is owned by Cookstown developer, Patrick Scullion, had high hopes for the Playwright when the doors opened in September 2017. Group marketing manager at the time, Laura McGillion, told LCN that Mr Scullion was keen to replicate the success he had already enjoyed with his venues in the mid-Ulster and Strabane areas.

1 Oak Leisure Ireland Ltd. owns TIME nightclub in Cookstown, Johnny Foxes in Magherafelt and Ruby’s nightclub and the Harp and Fiddle bar in Strabane.