Popular Kildare business wants to turn offices into bedrooms in major upgrade
A planning permission application has been submitted to Kildare County Council for consideration
A number of changes have been proposed for a well-known Kildare town business.
Studio one Film Exhibitors Limited is seeking planning permission from Kildare County Council to make the changes to The Silken Thomas, which is located in the Market Square area of Kildare town.
According to the business information website SoloCheck.ie, Studio one Exhibitors Ltd also trades as Harrigans and The Lord Edward.
The description of the application from Studio one Exhibition Ltd shows that it is seeking permission from KCC to change the first floor offices over the existing public bar to proposed new bedrooms.
These new rooms would be linked to a proposed new single-storey bedroom accommodation block, which would be constructed over the existing external first floor seating and smoking area to the rear of first floor offices.
Specifically, alterations would be comprised of:
- The construction of the bedroom accommodation over the existing first floor area, with three bedrooms to the existing first-floor office area and six bedrooms to the proposed new first-floor construction
- Alterations / reconfiguration of existing first floor offices
- On-street access to bedrooms via the existing front elevation and internal access via the first floor of The Silken Thomas
- Plaque advertising signage to street entrance
- All associated internal and external alterations to accommodate the proposed development
The date received on the application is listed as October 10 last.
The submission-by and due dates are listed as November 13, 2025 and December 4, 2025 respectively.
The Silken Thomas was initially established 50 years ago, according to its official website.
It also lists itself as a family-run business which provides "accommodation", "food" and "late-night entertainment".