Billionaire Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct has secured permission to open a large new “state of the art” gym at the former Debenhams department store on Dublin’s Henry Street.
The 27,544sq ft gym will be the first opened by the group in the Republic.
The permission comes two years after Mr Ashley’s Frasers Group bought the former Debenhams outlet in Henry Street.
The site at number 54-62 Henry Street has remained closed since the closing of the Debenhams store during the Covid-19 pandemic in May 2020.
The planning consultants for the applicants, Tom Philips+Associates, said the site “holds one of the most important and prominent retail locations in Dublin city centre”.
As part of the revamp, Heatons Ltd, which trades as Sports Direct in Ireland, is to open a new flagship Sports Direct store at the location, from the ground to the second floor mezzanine, along with the gym on the third floor.
Tom Phillips + Associates told the city council that the proposed development “will allow for the successful occupation of a landmark commercial unit, which in turn will enliven the streetscape and provide a positive addition to the area”.
The planning consultants said “the proposals will revitalise active users at every level within an iconic landmark commercial building at the heart of Dublin City centre”.
The report said the revitalisation of building “will stimulate job creation, boost street activity, and enhance animation throughout the day and evening”.
It said “this will lead to a more attractive pedestrian environment compared to the existing dormant walkways along the front facades along Henry Street and Coles Lane”.
The consultants said “the gym facility will comprise a wide range of machines and equipment and will include smaller, unique group training concepts, designs specifically to cater to the needs of its members”.
The planning application faced one objection. Anne Reilly, of Saks Hair Salon on Sackville Place, asked the council to reject the gym “so that almost 30,000sq ft of existing prime shopping or retail space is not removed from our main shopping street”.
