TV eatery to become real in Raw deal

The mock-up restaurant in which the hit television drama Raw was shot for RTÉ is to become a reality.

Circuit Court president Mr Justice Raymond Groarke yesterday granted the proposed Raw restaurant at 5, 6, and 7 Camden St, Dublin, a “declaratory license”.

This means if the premises, where the 30 programmes for the five-series drama were recorded, is developed in accordance with planning permission then the real-life Raw restaurant is guaranteed a drinks license.

Dorothy Collins, counsel for Stephen Johnston, the man behind the proposed eponymous eatery, said the new owners and a number of objectors had struck a deal over how the new Raw was to be run.

Constance Cassidy, for one of the main objectors, councillor Mannix Flynn, told the court it could grant the declaratory order on foot of the agreement which had been committed to writing.

Niki Andrews, for objectors Bernard Molloy of the Delux Hotel (Camden St) Limited and Claytondale Limited, said they had also withdrawn their objections on foot of the agreed deal.

The agreement restricts Mr Johnston, owner of the Bleeding Horse pub, which is also in Camden St, from running the new premises other than as a restaurant and cafe bar and strictly not as a public house or promoting it as a public house.

Mr Johnston also agreed to maintain a full menu service and not to apply for music, singing, or public-dancing licences or to ask the court for special exemption orders.

He said Raw was expected to become reality following major renovations and refurbishment by October. It will have basement storage, a ground-floor restaurant, and first-floor kitchens, cloakrooms, and lavatories.