Take a look inside the planned 360 degree Gravity Bar extension

The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is planning to double the size of its Gravity Bar as part of a €16 million expansion.

Subject to planning permission it is hoped the redevelopment will begin in 2018 and will welcome visitors by 2019.

Speaking to The Irish Times, Paul Carty who manages the Guinness Storehouse said the bar had always been the "jewel" in the crown for the company.

He said the plan would result in the creation of a new 360 degree space which will directly link to the original Gravity Bar.

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“We find that all tourists want to come to the rooftop bar for that perfect pint of Guinness. What we found in the past is that it can get a little crowded up here, so this is why we wanted to expand to improve customer experience.”

The existing Gravity Bar will remain open during the redevelopment.

In addition to the expanded Gravity Bar, the Guinness Storehouse Hub, will also have a new facilities building, directly adjacent to the storehouse building, included in the plans.

The three storey building will provide additional space for the Guinness archives, retail storage and an employee hub.

Extra staff

Guinness is hoping to add an extra 250 staff to the Storehouse once the project has been completed and are hopeful the planning application will be straightforward.

“I hope we don’t have any issues in that area [Planning Permission]. In the 17 years, that we have been here, I think we have behaved correctly and we don’t have complaints about noise. We behave like good neighbours and employ local people,” Mr Carty said.

Since opening to the public in 2000, the storehouse has made a significant contribution to Ireland’s tourism sector and economy.

The Storehouse at St James's Gate was Ireland's most visited attraction in 2016, according to Fáilte Ireland figures.

Accordin to its annual list of top visitor attractions, the Guinness Storehouse welcomed 1.6 million visitors – a 10 per cent increase on the year before.

In total 16.5 million people have visited the attraction since it opened in 2000.

Fáilte Ireland chief executive officer Paul Kelly said the development was exciting and a vote of confidence in the future of the tourism sector.

He said it was important that tourist attractions were continuously improved.