Santa’s Grotto building ‘is not fit for public use’

SANTA’S GROTTO is coming to Mayo - but Father Christmas has to set up shop in a building that town councillors were told was not fit for public use.

Angry Ballina councillors condemned the letting of the property, an old cinema on Garden Street in the town centre, to a private individual for such a purpose. They were told by town management earlier this year that the premises was not fit for public use. Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Padraig Moore says the situation is farcical.

“This building, the old cinema, is owned by Mayo county council and housed the local arts group until earlier this year, when we were told that the arts group had to find alternative premises as the premises was unfit for public use.