An Taisce Galway has written to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in relation to the description of a listed and protected building as the "last significant development site on Shop Street".
The environmental watchdog group has vowed to keep a close eye on the Griffin's Bakery property, as well as a number of other high profile buildings in the city.
In its letter to the authority, An Taisce states that in its opinion, Griffin's Bakery is not a redevelopment site, but is in fact a listed and protected structure as acknowledged by Galway City Council.
Chairman of An Taisce Galway, Derrick Hambleton pointed out that the Griffin's Bakery premises was just one of a number of well-known properties in the city centre which came under the "listed and protected" category.
These include Taaffes Shop on William Street and Kenny's Bookshop and Gallery on High Street, considered by An Taisce to be buildings of considerable heritage value to the city.
Mr Hambleton said: "You can take it that An Taisce will be keeping a very close eye on what is proposed for those buildings. We think that it is very important to preserve the essential character of those buildings, both inside and out."
The Taaffes building occupies a prominent position on William Street and is understood to have been purchased by businessman and developer Gerry Barrett for about €20 million. Kenny's Bookshop closed last Saturday, while their gallery will close in March. The Griffin's Bakery premises is currently up for sale.
Meanwhile, Galway City Council has moved to place a preservation order on a pub which has been left in a will to the St Vincent de Paul charity, writes John Fallon.
O'Connell's Bar on Eyre Square was expected to fetch about €10 million when it was disclosed last year that it had been left to the charity. A council spokesman confirmed that it was proposing to have O'Connell's Bar added to the list of protected structures in the city. Details of the proposed preservation order will be unveiled to city councillors at their meeting next Monday evening.
