Sir, - As a frequent visitor to Dublin, I wish to express my surprise and shock at the proposed conversion of the Fleet Street side of Bewley's Oriental Cafe in Westmoreland Street. I refer to the application displayed at these premises to convert them from a cafe to a "licensed premises".
I understand that the company currently running the cafe has made significant profits on the brand name of Bewleys and from reproducing that name in a number of other cities and countries. However, in Dublin, the Grafton Street branch is completely altered from its original splendid condition and the George's Street branch has recently closed down. If planning permission is granted and conversion takes place at Westmoreland Street, will this not completely destroy the unique character of Bewley's Cafe?
I have been informed that some years ago the Government provided substantial funding to Bewleys when it was in financial difficulties in order for it to maintain this unique "cultural heritage". Are there not enough "licensed premises" in nearby Temple Bar without adding to them and so destroying a truly enriching feature (by any standards) of a European city? - Yours, etc.,
Rachael Whalley, Mellison Road, Tooting, London SW17.