Discount retailer Dealz – Poundland's Irish trading name – has been granted planning permission for a new branch at the former Epicurean Food Hall on Dublin's Liffey Street.

Dublin City Council received no objections to the application to convert the premises for retail use, which had been lodged in June.

The Epicurean Food Hall originally opened in February 2000, offering a range of gourmet food units built around communal seating. In a previous incarnation, it had been the Abbey Mall shopping centre.

After initially attracting high-end tenants, it had become rundown in recent years. A refurbishment in 2015 raised hopes that the food business would survive and start to thrive again, but the shutters finally came down in March.

The head of business organisation Dublin Town, Richard Guiney told the Irish Times that he believes Dealz would do well at the 868sq m site with entrances on to Liffey Street and Abbey Street.

He did, however, note that the northside area needed more restaurants and independent outlets as Dublin Town campaigns for it to achieve the Purple Flag status – denoting a high-quality evening and night-time economy – that the Dame District and Creative Quarter already enjoy.

Guiney said:

“It is positive that the premises that has been closed for some time is coming back into use.

"There is also a demand in the area for good quality independent stores, restaurants and cafes. There is a lot of that on Capel Street and there is definitely massive scope on Liffey Street to develop more of an evening and nighttime offering.”