I was in Paul Street on Tuesday, I was surprised to see they're actually replacing one of the broken lifts. So that's some sort of progress.
Re. Krispy Kreme, it really feels like the council or whoever makes the decisions wants town to be solely a shopping venue. There's nothing else to do in town as it is like. No joint up thinking or an obvious plan on what the future of town is...
It's absolutely horrible. I was in the city with my sister recently, she parked in Paul Street, and the car park was so grim. Rundown, lifts broken, a menacing feel to the place. It was only 11am on a Thursday morning but my sister said she would have felt nervous had she been alone. It doesn't get an awful lot better once you get down to the shopping centre. It really is a time warp to 1985 and needs knocking.
I only found out recently that it wasn't always called Paul Street SC, it opened as "City Park Shopping Centre." Being the first multi-story in Cork was quite the novelty.
Merchant's Quay isn't a whole lot better, mind. The 1st floor is the very definition of a dead mall, with only a handful of shops open. Kylemore, Peter Mark, Vision Express and others all long gone (there's a post elsewhere from 2013 about how dead the 1st floor was even then.) The Dunnes reopening has helped, but as soon as that reopened, the SuperValu shut. The days of MQ being a thriving shopping centre are gone. If M&S ever leave (and that's something that wouldn't surprise me post-Brexit), it'll kill the ground floor too.
A few of the ones in Dublin City centre tone down the garish design; Dame street and O’Connell street are two I can think of that don’t use the bright colours.
In fairness all the centras have a standard colour scheme I think it's fine.
The Small Bishopstown Dunnes seems to have got a nice update!
Looking at the way Starbucks was replaced by a gaudy garish Centra it could be asked if permission depends on whether the business association members have competing interests.
But they pick and choose.
Reported this hideous signage on French Church St three years ago as unauthorised and they still haven't taken action despite several requests for updates.
I thinkk the issue is that both KK and Starbucks went ahead without planning permission and the Council have a reputation of making a point...even to the detriment of the street
Well, tbf - was the Porter signage there before or after the x, y, z regulations you cite?
I see that Sultan's on McCurtain Street is gone. Not sure when that happened.
I think councils sometimes have small man syndrome and love to think they can wield power over large big bad American corporations and will use contradictory means to do so. For example, allowing Irish businesses such as Centra or Gino's to sell takeaway coffees and treats from Patrick Street but not allow Starbucks or Krispy Kreme to do the same..
Fail to see how this was acceptable and new signage is in breach of x,y,z
Everything by the sounds of it and that will just rile the council, looks as though they just went ahead
In pursuance of the powers conferred on the Cork City Council by the Planning and Development Act 2000 it is hereby decided that Permission and Permission to Retain is to REFUSED to: Krispy Kreme Ireland Ltd. c/o Pat Murphy (Agent WCS) , Unit 4 Block 4 , City North Business Campus , Stamullen , Co. Meath K32KC65 for the developmen t of land, namely: For planning permission and retention planning permission for the following: (1) Retention of change of use from previous retail to cafe with internal seating for sale of food and drinks for consumption within and off the premises. (2) Retention of shopfront and signage. The proposed development al so includes all associated internal 'ancillary works
Hard to comprehend the Council's vision for Patrick's Street includes rejecting planning for any F&B/Hospitality outlets.
Such a shame.
Would rather see units filled than vacant and crumbling
KK isn't much of a loss but I do think the Council need to revisit the plan for Patrick's Street. A few more decent cafés, restaurants or bars would be great. Hard to get it right though without allowing more fast food joints on our main street (see O'Connell Street in Dublin for an example of how to get it wrong). It was also a pity that the recent apartment redevelopment was refused.
What did they actually do without permission.
Council rather see any empty unit than bending planning rules. I understand planning rules need to be respected but the city centre is absolutely dying.
I thought Krispy Kreme serves coffee and even milkshakes? The couple I've been to in Dublin do...
It needed coffee as well I think to make it better. But the logic of the council is baffling. I was in town at lunchtime, the place is shocking looking. Loads of empty units, the place is shabby out, and the only places that seem to be opening are vabe/phone repair shops.
Probably doesn't help that Krispy Kreme doughnuts are available in Tesco, at least the one here in Ballincollig. Then again, I've walked past there quite a few times on weekends in December, and there was always at least something going on in there.
Any time I have walked by during the day, it has been empty. I noticed the other day that the "grab and go" shelves were empty - as if they quit putting out the prepackaged glazed donuts.
Noticed reno works in old fish wife on McCurtain last night - found this - new place opening up soon !! Seasoned Cork chef hopes Leesiders will back new gourmet Fish N'Chip takeaway - Cork Beo
After the initial hype I don't see much going on there. I think the city centre is the wrong spot for it
Krispy Kreme has been denied permission to retain the changes to the premises which were made without planning permission.
https://planning.corkcity.ie/AppFileRefDetails/2342457/0
Is Rebel coffee still a thing? I know the one in French Church street is rebranded with a new owner but are the other stores gone now too?
Apparently elverys have bought more buildings on maylor street as well all to be part of the redevelopment.
Pascal Sheehy article on rte website, lots of quotes from Claire Nash, none suggesting that she was, at least partially, the author of her own downfall. Reading the comments on the Restaurant Recommendation Thread from posters who have been contributing for a long time, ( I am not including myself, more a lurker than a poster), there seems to have been broad agreement that while the food was good, the atmosphere was awful, her presence intimidating, snobbish, with all the charm of a dalek. I am very sorry for the people who worked there, losing their jobs. I hope they can find employment quickly and in a more pleasant environment. She is/was a force of nature indeed.
Ive never understood why Tesco don't buy out that whole centre out. The existing Tesco is far too small and cramped.
Walking into Paul Street shopping centre is like taking a time portal to the early 90s
Paul Street is a shopping centre that badly badly needs a facelift. Footfall isn’t an issue in the slightest, that car park is always busy and people are walking through constantly. Only issue is the place looks and feels like a dump
