Former Athy shoe shop goes up for sale
Boyd's Footwear building on Duke Street
A renowned former Athy shoe shop has gone up for sale.
Boyd’s Footwear on Duke Street closed earlier this year and the premises has now gone on the market.
It comprises a ground-floor retail unit with additional office and storage space. There are two floors overhead of residential accommodation. The property is on an extensive site suitable for redevelopment with frontage and access off St. John’s Lane.
The property is brought to market by Jordan’s.
The auctioneers say there is great potential in the town in the coming years with the renovation of the town hall, Emily Square redevelopment and the opening of the outer relief road.
Price is on application while commercial rates are roughly €1,600 a year.
Boyds Footwear had been in business since 1938 – the family business was set up that year by Basil Boyd’s father James.
Basil had been in the retail business for over 65 years and he and his family – wife Norma and daughter Orla – decided it was time to retire.
They closed the doors for the final time on 29 February, having sold all their stock – people were coming in and buying three and four pairs at a time during the closing down sale.
The local businessman, who was born and reared in Athy and lives in Ballylynan, told the Kildare Nationalist previously that “meeting the public” is what he enjoyed most about his line of work.
Generations of locals have passed through the doors over the years.
Accommodation:
Ground floor: 93 sq.m (1,000 sq.ft). This comprises the entrance lobby, retail area, office, kitchen and bathroom. First & Second floor: 105 sq.m (1,130 sq.ft): 3 bedrooms (1 ensuite), bathroom, sitting room, kitchen / dining room. Outside sheds & stores: 84 sq.m (900 sq.ft) Range of older stores and sheds with gated side access onto St. John’s Lane.
There is also a large garden area which could provide further opportunity for any prospective purchasers. BER: F.
