who_me wrote: » That's kind of my point - an area that could and maybe should the tourist centre of the city, is instead an area where people would be wary of visiting. In my ignorance, I've lived in the city for about 27/28 years now, and it was only a few years back I walked through the area. The walkways up from the river, the square around the Firkin Crane / Butter Museum, St. Annes, and the walk down towards the hotel are all really nice. Not saying it would have to be turned into a Temple-Bar like pub and restaurant area; it could just as well be a craft-shop area, or that square would be a great spot for an artisan food market? You might have objections, with it being such a residential area; but it'd surely add greatly to the value of the properties too. Considering the proximity to the city centre, surely that's an aspect that has huge potential too.
the beer revolu wrote: » A big problem with the area is the gated laneways. The agreement is that they are closed between 8 and 8 but in reality the residents close them as and when they feel like it creating defacto gated communities.
shafty100 wrote: » I have to agree with the scummy bars in the area,except for the homer bar on shandon street,which is run very well and for 3.60 for a beamish and 3.50 for fosters is great value , also 4.20 for all the main brands. I have a drink in there and find it very friendly with a lot of local charchters.the building is rumoured to have been leased by sam mccauleys
yogmeister wrote: » Just what we need another pharmacy on the northside.
opus wrote: » Well that didn't last long, it closed down earlier this week.
opus wrote: » The area around the Firkin Crane is taking shape nicely. Now if the council would only do something with the semi-derelict craft centre.
corks finest wrote: » It'd be great minus the Norries ( sorry had to put that in) looking good,still bloody dodgy travelling up shandon all the way from the north main St?
RINO87 wrote: » I wonder how long it takes places with a "bad" rep to shake that... I'm a blow in, but have been here 5 years, and regularly go walking/running up around shandon and never once have seen a jot of trouble.... If I mention it to folks in work I always get the "jays i wouldnt be going up there on my own" comments. Shandon is grand. Nice in fact. Bit of character up there. Yes it could be better but its far from dangerous
the beer revolu wrote: » The thing is that these bad reputations are put out there by people who don't know the area and who never go there, yet they "know". Shandon is a little rough around the edges - has character, as you said - but in 23 years living in the area, I've never had any hassle.
opus wrote: » Planning permission just went up to turn it into a Ladbrokes branch so guessing they want to move from down the road a bit.
Cork Trucker wrote: » Is Tony Kenny still there? I drank in there when he took over Nolan’s In the 90’s
This is great news, fingers crossed it works out.
Plans to turn Cork's iconic Butter Exchange into a job creation hub
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-40697822.html
Honestly, I don't think this will do anything for the area. What is it exactly, it's really not clear? While Enterprise centre sounds laudable, I'd like to know what exactly this will provide and what it will bring to the area other than cars.
What start up companies need is money and mentorship not a hot desk in the city centre. I feel this could have been achieved anywhere. Why in this historic, city centre building?
I think something that would bring footfall to the area would make sense. I think there should be public and community access to this building.
I'd rather see an arts group or even a college use this building.
I know of one established artists group who put in a tender for the building - they were told that they would need to generate revenue for the council €25 k was mentioned but, now, these guys get it for €1 pa. That tender, despite being invited, was never even responded to.
I think this current proposal was pushed through and agreed by the city Council in a secretive manner with no public consultation and no apparent fair process.
It seems like the conservative city council would prefer a handful of businesses people using the building rather than have a vibrant community of artists, students, tourists or general the public using it.
I'm really annoyed about this not just because I think it's the wrong use for this building but also by how the process was done in what seems to be a shady, secretive way.
This is a public building being given for free to a group of businesses men who think they can "create jobs". I have no doubt that these people mean well but the whole thing stinks, imo.
Rant over
The announcement seemed to come out of nowhere for sure but I'm guessing they must have been working behind the scenes for a good while. Would have been fantastic if the artists group had got it as would have added a lot to the area I think. Guess my enthusiastic post above comes from the fact that something is happening to it & presumably this new group, Recreate Shandon Ltd, will have to at least renovate the building which it badly needs before any more parts collapse.
Indeed they were working behind the scenes with the city council, but in secret!
I think what support that they do have is because "finally something is happening with that building".
A hugely missed opportunity as far as I can see.
I'm amazed that there is so little interest in the fact that a public, historic building has been handed over for €25 euros for 25 years to a group, without any public consultation or fair process.
I'm not seeing anything online about it. Does no one have an opinion on this beyond "at least something is going in there"?
Only spotted a QR code for this self-guided walking tour this morning, maybe it's been there for ages - https://www.walkingshandon.ie/
