Please see Press Release attached from the owners of Thomas Read’s, Ireland’s Oldest Shop. See also this link http://thegentlemansoldier.com/Thomas-Read-of-Dublin.html for additional information.

10^th March 2014

Reeds, Number 4 Parliament Street, Dublin 2

In response to and clarification of RTE’s Morning Ireland coverage on 7^th March 2014

 Background

No 4 Parliament Street is a private property owned by a private individual who having acquired the building two years ago, wishes to restore the property to its original status as a cutlery shop and as a private home.

The owner’s interest is in the conservation not renovation of both the building and the original shop.

It is not going to be developed nor refurbished, no change of use is planned and the business is to be reopened.

The owner has invested considerable time and resources in the conservation and restoration of the building over the last two years, including the following:

• A world renowned author on history of the family, its business and the store.
• A senior archivist was appointed to archive thousands of the products and materials found within the building.
• All works to date including the archiving have been photographed and filmed for future publication.

With regard to the issue of the building being closed to the public:

 The building has been closed for almost 20 years.

The owner has appointed Kelly and Cogan Conservation Architects and has completed a considerable amount of conservation research into the building and over the last year, With the assistance of Dublin City Council, have already and continue to implement maintenance repair and conservation work . This work might not be highly visible but it is absolutely critical and ongoing.

Given the nature of the work it is expected that the building work will not be completed, subject to planning for at least 18 months.

–       ends –

Any questions relating to the architecture please contact:

Mr James Kelly RIAI RIBA

Kelly and Cogan

Architects and Design Consultants

81 North King Street

Smithfield

Dublin 7

Tel:   01 8721295

Fax:  01 8747476