Starbucks

More from the Irish Times below.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/starbucks-ordered-to-stop-work-on-new-cafe-1.2313615

3 breaches in a row is poor form on Starbucks side. I welcome their arrival to any neighbourhood (as long as they don't over-saturate an area) as they add a vibrancy and choice, later city centre options ( other than the pub) and mark that an area is progressive and a desirable place to be part of but all businesses need to follow the due diligence of the planning process otherwise it's a free for all and we're back to the dreadful mistakes of the past.

SpaceTime wrote: »

It's very unfair on the small cafés in Cork that have been driving a very vibrant coffee culture for many years before Starbucks even heard of the place.

To claim a vibrant culture of anything retail\food sector in Cork is wrong,
if you walk from Patrick's bridge to corner of Grand Parade at 9 o'clock at night, how many businesses are open?
Burger King, la Chateau, Abra, Oriental restaurant above the boots and McDonalds, that's.

I see tourists walking down the principle street in Cork, and find no where to get food or coffee, walk down the principle street in any European city at 9 o'c at night, and there's more options for a sit down drink, and a bite to eat, not fast food.

there's too many empty units on the street, or low value shops (Phone, e-cig's etc), and shops closed at 6oc, to make it a nice street. It doesn't matter if starbucks are on the street, there's very few alternatives to arrange a meeting with someone, other than pubs on the middle parish.

What?

I hope they get this resolved as others have said it would be good to see something open apart from a chemist after 6 on that end of the street.

Also, I think it's wrong to say Cork doesn't have enough options to go eat in the evening. Whatever about no cafes being open, there's plenty of places to eat. The main difference with continental Europe is that we don't have the weather to have restaurants open up on to the streets so it looks much quieter. There's also plenty of options to sit down and have a drink. Every village in Ireland has plenty of options to sit down and have a drink.

The bit that is missing is a few casual cafe options and that's what Starbucks is filling. I'd rather see independent places do this instead but Starbucks took the initiative. My hope would be that 3 is the limit in terms of Starbucks around the city center and other cafes take up the challenge to offer alternatives to pubs and restaurants as a place for people to meet up in the evening. A big problem they face though is getting their name out there as a place to go for a coffee and light bite in the evening. Cafe Gusto is one place that I think does this well. Starbucks is instantly recognizable though and tourists will flock to it. If you're aiming for the Irish market then, you still have to compete with the massive pub culture (and Starbucks).

Confirmed for Douglas Village SC along with TK Maxx per today's Echo.

http://www.eveningecho.ie/cork-news/tk-maxx-and-starbucks-set-for-douglas-village-shopping-centre/

ofcork wrote: »

Just heard on news now lidl are now planning to open in wilton on the old esso/coffee place!

Right across the road from a brand new Aldi! I wonder will that impact on them getting planning?

traffic mayhem over there so

"Starbucks: Coming Soon" signs gone up in Douglas Village shopping centre

Was walking past earlier and they've started working on the front of the shop now where the green hoarding was; looks like they're putting in windows.

Douglas Eegit wrote: »

What unit is it going into?

The corner facing the entrance to Marks and Spencers.

Yeah Gloria Jeans is up by the entrance to Tesco. I suppose once tkmax opens there's not all that much down that end of the centre, only the m&s and puccinos.

Gotta disagree with that. Douglas Court still much better than Douglas Village IMHO. That Dunnes infinitely better than Tesco and a fine selection of shops in the Court also. Can't say I see it looking grim in any way to be honest.

lisasimpson wrote: »

Arent they due to go into Albert Quay as well

That was apparently denied back in January, according to this article:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/property/commercial/starbucks-to-open-first-cork-city-centre-store-305727.html

Whether that is still the case or they've done a U-Turn on that decision remains to be seen, however.

afriendlyshark wrote: »

Apparently Starbucks open up about 6 cafes when they infiltrate a new city to close down smaller cafes, and then when that's done they'll close down their less popular cafes. Opening 3 in 6 months shows that they're on their way to that! While I don't even drink coffee, and wouldn't go near Starbucks if I did, I'd prefer there to be a Starbucks than an empty unit. The top of Patricks Street is so desolate and bare looking, not a good first impression when entering the city imo

You can't know for sure that's their intention without hearing from an inside source though?

afriendlyshark wrote: »

My boyfriend was told it by a barista, so it must be something that is rumoured in coffee shops.

I have no doubt that much is true!