Ben Dunne's ambitions to develop a low-cost art warehouse have been scuppered by Dublin City Council.
The council has granted permission to the former supermarket tycoon turned fitness centre entrepreneur to transform a former cricket pavilion in Kimmage into an art gallery, but has stipulated that it can only be used for exhibitions and not for the sale or hire of work.
Dunne had plans to shake up the Irish art world with a new art warehouse/gallery on the grounds of his Carlisle health and fitness centre in Kimmage, Dublin 12.
He had vowed to charge artists just 25 per cent commission on sale price, compared to the 50 per cent usually charged by galleries.
Dunne had also promised a money-back guarantee to his new art customers if they were not satisfied with what they had bought.
The council has also refused permission for 70 parking spaces at the gallery, with the exception of two disabled parking spaces. The existing parking spaces at the Carlisle Leisure Centre can serve the art gallery, the council stated.
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