The former Cafe Cellini on East Bridge Street, which has been boarded up for several years and was formerly Florence’s women’s clothes shop, is up for sale for offers over £495,000, with rates estimated to be just over £15,000 per year. 

With its own access to the River Erne the property in 2012 planning permission was granted to convert the then cafe into a  off-licence and nightclub. On sale by Eadie and McFarland and Co, the property is pitched as being “suitable for a wide range of retail, office and leisure uses subject to statutory consents.” 

“Due to the topography of this site it can accommodate an exceptional range of accommodation/floor levels,” the pitch concludes. 

Speaking to the Herald, estate agent William McFarland said there had been quite a bit of interest in the property so far. 

There have been a range of enquiries from local and Northern Irish developers considering various proposals,” he said. ”It is envisaged that this unique gateway waterfront site may facilitate redevelopment to provide a budget or boutique hotel, restaurant or nightclub. 

Mr McFarland added permission was already granted for a change of use: “Some interested parties have considered refurbishing and utilising the existing building. Planning permission was granted in October 2017 for a ‘proposed part demolition of existing building at lower ground floor level and change of use from cafe/bakery to offsales and nightclub to include extended stores, emergency exit and external smoking area’.  

“The interesting thing about this property is that the site extends towards the River Erne providing almost the same space again as the building occupies, it totals c. 0.14 acres which is large in town centre term.”

When asked about the high asking price, he said: “The guide price reflects the unique opportunity to acquire this one off site and create something special.”