Demolition begins of unsightly Dawson’s amusements building
BUILDING WAS ERECTED NEAR BRAY HEAD IN 1980S
DEMOLITION works have begun on the old Dawson's amusements building on Bray seafront. Bray Town Council gave permission last year for the demolition of the unsightly building and the installation of 130 parking spaces.
This comes some years after plans to develop a ‘Riviera' style project along the seafront strip.
According to architect Brian O'Donnell, the economy intervened to shelve those plans for the time being.
He said that owners Brian and Gerry Freeney are keen to do something positive with the site pending a proper re-development. ‘A functioning car park will be far preferable to a dilapidated hoarded up building,' he said.
The new application was made to Bray Town Council in January 2012.
The works to remove the building will take a number of weeks to complete. The build- ing was erected in the 1980s amid controversy due to its appearance and its proximity to Bray Head.
Other plans to build apartments on the site have been shelved.
‘While everyone will be happy to see the back of the unsightly structure, one must bear in mind the amount of employment it did provide over the years, particularly to young students during the summer months,' said Cllr John Brady. ‘ This really is the end of an era for many reasons.'