DUBLIN publican John Keating has dropped plans for a hotel over his bar at the junction of Mary Street and Jervis Street, Dublin 1, following a decision by An Bord Pieanala to limit the development to five storeys instead of six. Mr Keating had sought permission to provide 40 bedrooms on the upper floors.

Instead, he is to demolish the bar and replace it with a four-storey retail development of 14,000 square feet, for which planning permission has already been granted. Hamilton Osborne King are letting agents for the scheme, which adjoins the new Jervis Shopping Centre. Mr Keating is to take over the former Keg public house in Jervis Street, which he bought at auction for £650,000.