A major refurbishment of the Irish National Foresters Clubhouse in Lurgan – a listed building – is expected to go out to tender in the New Year.
Plans for the works, estimated to cost in the region of £500,000, were approved in October by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
The project will see refurbishments carried out to both the inside and outside of the premises at North Street in the town.
Two applications had to be submitted to council – one for the work itself and another seeking listed building consent – both of which have been approved.
The original building dates back to the mid-1850s and it came into the ownership of the Irish National Foresters, who had submitted their proposals for this substantial revamp in February this year, back in 1892.
The successful contractor will undertake substantial works to the roof, render, plaster, windows, doors, rainwater goods, floors, walls and ceilings.
In addition to that, there are changes proposed within the Grade B1 listed clubhouse.
It is intended the works will be carried out on the former pool room on the ground floor, with the intention to create a new bar and seating area within the main building.
At the same time, permission has been given for a change of use for the former branch office to create new conference facilities and pool room, also at ground floor level of the main building.
The plans also detail the proposed change of use from the former pool room on the ground floor to create a new bar and seating area in the main building, the change of use from a former branch office to create new conference facilities and pool room on the ground floor in the main building.
On the first floor the snooker room and former pool room will be converted into new conference facilities, while the former branch committee rooms will make way for new first floor self-contained office facilities in the rear building.
A new floor space internally will be created at ground floor level, and this will provide a location for new toilet facilities for the planned new bar.
It is also intended to create a covered smoking area outside at the rear of the building.
In addition, work will be carried out to the boundary walls, there will be new access gates and a rear yard store and toilet will be demolished.
Selected contractors are expected to be invited to submit tenders for the ambitious works in the spring of next year.
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