A UK-based hospitality company has drawn up plans for a 180-bedroom hotel on the site of the former Tonery’s Pub in Bohermore.

Jalaluddin Kajani, a clothing and textiles entrepreneur who moved into the hotel sector during the property crash, has purchased the site, which previously had planning permission for a ‘flashpacker’ hostel.

Carra Shore Hotel (Galway) Ltd, which is operated by the Kajani family, has applied to the City Council for permission to demolish the pub and outbuildings on the 0.6-acre site and to construct a new building which will be four storeys facing onto Bohermore and two more floors below Bohermore level, taking advantage of the sloped site.

There will be a total of 182 bedrooms – 158 standard rooms and 24 family/accessible suites – as well as a lounge and breakfast area. The plans also include eight bicycle racks.

Pedestrian access from Bohermore Road to Forster Court is included “with an appropriate degree of passive surveillance afforded”.

“The proposed development will not add to the traffic congestion of the city. The hotel does not provide a car park and therefore guests and staff will not be offered a car parking space. Instead, they will be encouraged to use public transport, particularly with such close and easy access to the city centre. The city centre is accessible by bus or a short walk,” the application reads.

According to documentation submitted with the plans, the City Council indicated at a pre-planning meeting last May that the proposed hotel use of the site was “acceptable in principle having regard to policy provisions contained within the Galway City Development Plan and the planning history on the site”.

The City Council is due to reach a decision on the application at the beginning of November – however, planners are expected to seek further information on the plans rather than make a decision at that point.

Jalaluddin (also known as John) Kajani, his wife Mawash, and children Sonia and Zain, operate the JMK Hospitality Group, already own the Hampton by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express in Dublin City, as well as the Holiday Inn Dublin Airport and Waterford Marina Hotel.
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