The owner of Omagh pub and nightclub, Sally O'Brien's is undertaking a £4 million development programme which will include the building on John Street being demolished and rebuilt.

John McGirr's plans for the new and improved Sally O’Brien’s includes high specification design and disability access as well as an expanded bar, new kitchen facilities to allow the business to serve pub grub, and increased capacity in the popular Sally O's nightclub.

The project, which began with the demolition of the original building in September of this year, is well underway with building work already up to the first storey. Work is due to be completed in June 2008 with a grand reopening soon afterwards.

In the meantime, regular customers are being served their favourite tipples at the 'Top of Town' pub, just a short distance from where Sally O’Brien’s is taking shape.

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Owner and landlord, John McGirr is excited about the pace of the development and looking forward to reopening next year.

"This is a huge undertaking for us and a massive investment but I believe that we can build a really special venue that will appeal not only to our regular pub customers but also to the many young people who loved the old Sally O's and who travel from far and wide for our unique atmosphere, great music and great craic," said Mr McGirr.

"It has been seven years since we last refurbished the premises and I really felt that it was time for a change. It probably seems a bit drastic to knock down the whole building and start again from scratch but I wanted to make changes that would really revolutionise the club and bar area and felt that the time was right to also begin serving a simple bar snacks menu. With so many changes planned, it really was easier to rebuild than refurbish.

"There has been so much interest from people in the area as to what is happening and our customers have been enjoying watching the new building take shape. By taking over the 'Top of the Town', we have been able to keep on many of our staff and continue to serve our regulars during the rebuild which I feel is very important. At this stage, we hope to keep it on once Sally O'Brien's reopens. It is an exciting time for me as a publican and I am really looking forward to re-launching the new and improved bar and club next year," he concluded.

The project is being designed and managed by Hughes McMichael architects, project managers and quantity surveyors.

(JM)