IT ALL seems so long ago that developer Simon Kelly of Redquartz talked about turning the Smithfield Market scheme into a trendy part of the city.

Instead many of the units have remained empty while the Thomas Reads pub and the Lighthouse cinema had well documented financial difficulties.

Now Tesco is set to open a supermarket in the space currently occupied by The Complex theatre company but Dublin City Council has decided that it won’t be allowed to sell alcohol.

Oscar nominees Brown Bag Films, the largest employer in the area, had warned that misuse of alcohol was a significant issue in the area, so much so that a large shop selling alcohol would “exacerbate the issue” and “would be a material factor in deciding whether to implement our expansion plans at our current office facilities or at another location”.

Fresh, the supermarket group originally set up by Kelly, had also lodged an objection saying that it understands the British supermarket group will pay less than a quarter of the rent paid by Fresh.

The objection by town planners Kiaran O’Malley Co, on behalf of Fresh, said this would “likely drive” Fresh out of business.

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