Demolition of 164-year-old Wicklow building begins with amusement arcade on the way

While planning was approved last year, demolition works only began this week and the reaction locally has been mixed – with some bemoaning the loss of what was a fine piece of architecture, and others just relieved that the building, which had become a dilapidated eyesore, was finally being replaced with something.
That something will be a two-storey children's amusement arcade, with the plans approved by An Bord Pleanála (ABP), in February of 2024. It followed appeals by residents over the loss of 'an intrinsic element of the iconic image of Bray Seafront', as well as being heavily criticised by former Wicklow Green Party TD Steven Matthews and Green Party councillor for Bray East, Erika Doyle.
The building, at 1 Marlborough Terrace, Strand Road, was last home to the popular Campo De Fiori Italian restaurant, which closed in 2019 following the decision of its owners, Laura Chiavini and Marco Roccasalvo, to return home to Sardinia.
Permission was then sought in March 2022 for the building to be demolished and replaced with an arcade by Bentley Leisure Limited.
In October, 2022, Wicklow County Council (WCC) granted permission for the work to go ahead at Marlborough Terrace, subject to conditions, resulting in appeals by local residents, who expressed their 'surprise' at the approval, and argued that WCC's decision was another in a line of recent WCC decisions that allowed a Victorian building to be demolished (referencing St Paul's Lodge, on Herbert Road to make way for a car park, in 2018, and the removal of the iconic railings along Strand Road in 2013 and 2016).
Following an appeal, An Bord Pleanala referred to the objectives of the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 and the Bray Municipal District Local Area Plan 2018-2024, including those for the seafront, which state it 'shall be promoted as the primary tourist, recreational and leisure centre of Bray'.
In arising at their decision, the inspector said a children's arcade is a compatible use with this objective and is one that 'can contribute to and complement the mix of uses in the area'.
And It should be noted that the planning approval is for a children's amusement arcade, and not a casino or gambling arcade.
Following the approval last year, Cllr Doyle expressed her concerns for children's amusements, when she remarked: 'It will be interesting to see if this is simply fun rides and activities, or machines that require coins to be pumped in over and over again with the distant lure of a 'win'. I believe these plant the seeds of an attraction to gambling. Years ago, arcades had waltzers and slides and water spray games etc – where you got some fun for your money – increasingly, they are about mindlessly spending money.'
Mr Matthews said it was 'an extremely disappointing decision by An Bord Pleanala', as 'not only have the Bord allowed another amusement outlet but unbelievably they are allowing a good structure to be demolished.'
However, taking to social media this week, Bray residents were mixed in their views of the development, with some saying that the building was in 'appalling condition' and grateful that 'at least something is being done'.
Another called it 'a blessing' and was too grateful that the owners were 'spending their money on this eyesore', adding that 'the building was dangerous' and an 'indoor children's play area [is] badly needed and will flourish'.
Regarding its use as a children's arcade, the owners in their application that the proposals 'aim to invest in the area through replacing a disused and substandard building with a modern and adaptable structure that will ensure active uses will be maintained along the seafront.'

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