£8 million plan to add four more floors to Hop Exchange

The building has been owned by the Peer Group for 30 years and its executive chairman Martin Birrane this summer told a newspaper in his native Ireland about plans to add up to four more storeys at a cost of at least €11 million (£8 million).

According to the Irish Independent, "restaurant and up-and-coming hotel operators" are interested in being part of the development.

Birrane told the paper: "I wouldn't want this building to be redeveloped any other way.

"I know clearly what I want to do here and I hope the planners will agree with me.

"In my lifetime, I might even be able to achieve it."

Until 1920 the Hop Exchange had two more storeys than at present. These were demolished after fire damage.