Green light for Eddie Rocket’s restaurant

Fast food connoisseurs will be overjoyed to learn that a new Eddie Rocket’s restaurant looks set to be on the menu for Athlone in the near future.

T & L Partnership Limited received planning approval in recent days in relation to what is believed to be the former Mary’s Discount Store retail outlet at 1 Irishtown Central, John Broderick Street in Athlone, bringing with it the possibility of a substantial jobs boost if, and when, the business begins trading in the town.

The company had submitted plans in late September to change the use of landmark building to operate a family restaurant and takeaway trading as Eddie Rocket’s, along with associated signage and site works.

On Friday last, backers of the retro-themed diner restaurant discovered their proposals for the prominent shop unit got the green light from planners, subject to five separate conditions, mainly dealing with signage and opening hours. Among the stipulations on the development going ahead is a ban on “internally illuminated hollow plastic and/or neon type signs” and “no goods, sandwich boards or similar structures” will be displayed outside any of the premises.

In addition, details of the hours of operation will be submitted to the planning authority for written approval prior to the occupancy of the unit. Currently, the sole Eddie Rocket’s restaurant in the Midlands region is in Tullamore where 35 are employed.