Aldi Douglas

02-01-2021 6:46pm #1

Does anyone know when its opening, thought it was supposed to be November. There is a construction wide problem with materials so guessing that may be it

LessOutragePlz · 02-01-2021 7:24pm

My guess would be that it will be open by the end of February but I could be wrong.

Treehelpplease · 02-01-2021 7:30pm

nicest aldi ive ever seen. the brick work stopped for a while but has resumed

Patrick 1959 · 03-01-2021 2:35am

Ya looks good, Road seems to have been widened also. I saw Some good Photos on Skyscraper City, Cork Metro.

corks finest · 03-01-2021 3:16pm

Patrick 1959 wrote: »

Ya looks good, Road seems to have been widened also. I saw Some good Photos on Skyscraper City, Cork Metro.

Traffic congestion there is just going to be worse though, planners can't get it right

kub · 03-01-2021 4:26pm

corks finest wrote: »

Traffic congestion there is just going to be worse though, planners can't get it right

I think the lack of expertise in Urban planning is showing with the absolute mess that the County Council's planning department have made of Douglas.

While it will continue in the likes of Carrigaline, Midleton, Mallow etc.

run_Forrest_run · 03-01-2021 5:06pm

corks finest wrote: »

Traffic congestion there is just going to be worse though, planners can't get it right

I have to agree. I was down that way at around December 21st and between shoppers hitting Dunnes, Tesco, etc to begin the Christmas grocery shopping combined with the schools finishing time the place was nuts. I'm well aware Douglas turns into a car park at the best of times but the location of this Aldi can only make things worse.

corks finest · 03-01-2021 6:07pm

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

I have to agree. I was down that way at around December 21st and between shoppers hitting Dunnes, Tesco, etc to begin the Christmas grocery shopping combined with the schools finishing time the place was nuts. I'm well aware Douglas turns into a car park at the best of times but the location of this Aldi can only make things worse.

Crossed my mind immediately I heard of it, there's too many shops there as it is, as in normal times I have to pass through it for the kids training it's a nightmare to get to the well road from the Carrigaline direction

corks finest · 03-01-2021 6:09pm

kub wrote: »

I think the lack of expertise in Urban planning is showing with the absolute mess that the County Council's planning department have made of Douglas.

While it will continue in the likes of Carrigaline, Midleton, Mallow etc.

Living in Carrigaline and honestly it's beyond a nightmare at times ref traffic congestion, road planners need to be retrained

TheChizler · 03-01-2021 6:12pm

Might be the sheer number of cars rather than the location of shops that's the bigger issue.

Mardyke · 03-01-2021 6:50pm

People in cars giving out about traffic!

run_Forrest_run · 03-01-2021 6:54pm

Mardyke wrote: »

People in cars giving out about traffic!

I wasn't in a car at the time but yes, naturally if there are roads then cars tend to use them. Also, you might find if there is a concentration of shops then said roads may become congested as a result of bad planning.

Finally, bear in mind some people may be driving to their homes in Douglas village (from other places), shock horror.

kub · 03-01-2021 10:34pm

TheChizler wrote: »

Might be the sheer number of cars rather than the location of shops that's the bigger issue.

It was the same local authority that gave planning permission to the developers of all those now thousands of houses up in the hills around Douglas Village and indeed the planning permission for those shops.

kub · 03-01-2021 10:35pm

Mardyke wrote: »

People in cars giving out about traffic!

To think that people might have to use a car to get their weekly shopping, how strange in this country with our beautiful and ideal weather.

corks finest · 03-01-2021 10:39pm

kub wrote: »

To think that people might have to use a car to get their weekly shopping, how strange in this country with our beautiful and ideal weather.

Maybe if our devoted co council had in their wisdom made a few extra park and rides more ppl would leave the car behind at times, I do, but I still have to have drive from carrigaline to the park n ride

TheChizler · 04-01-2021 10:06am

kub wrote: »

To think that people might have to use a car to get their weekly shopping, how strange in this country with our beautiful and ideal weather.

The bad congestion happens twice a day at rush hour, not many are doing their weekly shop. It's people passing through the area, not stopping.

Acosta · 04-01-2021 11:09am

Douglas village is an ugly concrete jungle as it is. There's two big supermarkets within a few minutes of each other and already an Aldi plus a Super Valu a few minutes drive up the road in Grange. The local authorities job when it comes to planning in Cork seems to be little more than basically saying yes when a developer comes along.

namloc1980 · 04-01-2021 11:55am

Douglas is a hole at this stage. There was a Lidl planned for the village as well that got the go ahead from the County Council. Thankfully ABP shot it down. The county council have ruined Douglas with ridiculous levels of over-development. The Aldi site would be ideal as a town centre type development with apartments and a transport hub.

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 04-01-2021 12:03pm

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

I wasn't in a car at the time but yes, naturally if there are roads then cars tend to use them. Also, you might find if there is a concentration of shops then said roads may become congested as a result of bad planning.

Finally, bear in mind some people may be driving to their homes in Douglas village (from other places), shock horror.

Roads with no cycling or bus priority infrastructure, it must be pointed out. Zilch in and around the village. And it will only get worse.

Douglas and surrounds are easily cycleable and is served by a huge number of bus routes. It's a shame local authorities continue to prioritise the movement of private cars, sealing Douglas' fate for years to come as nothing more than a cesspit of traffic and fumes, and all the negatives that come with it. Incredibly unpleasant for pedestrians. And they wonder why units in the village centre are empty.

Look at Blackrock or Dundrum and what the councils in Dublin did over summer for inspiration. They transformed the places.
Cork City Council sat on their hands instead.

corks finest · 04-01-2021 12:48pm

Acosta wrote: »

Douglas village is an ugly concrete jungle as it is. There's two big supermarkets within a few minutes of each other and already an Aldi plus a Super Valu a few minutes drive up the road in Grange. The local authorities job when it comes to planning in Cork seems to be little more than basically saying yes when a developer comes along.

Correct

kub · 04-01-2021 1:00pm

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Roads with no cycling or bus priority infrastructure, it must be pointed out. Zilch in and around the village. And it will only get worse.

Douglas and surrounds are easily cycleable and is served by a huge number of bus routes. It's a shame local authorities continue to prioritise the movement of private cars, sealing Douglas' fate for years to come as nothing more than a cesspit of traffic and fumes, and all the negatives that come with it. Incredibly unpleasant for pedestrians. And they wonder why units in the village centre are empty.

Look at Blackrock or Dundrum and what the councils in Dublin did over summer for inspiration. They transformed the places.
Cork City Council sat on their hands instead.

I think to be fair to the City Council, they have inherited a right mess here with the state that the County Council left Douglas in.
I think we should at least give them some time considering they only have jurisdiction there about 18 months now and this is only part of a massive area that they took from the County.

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 04-01-2021 1:04pm

With Covid mobility funds they had an opportunity in 2020 to finally at least *start* improving the place. They have been very slow in other areas too to be fair. Even with more funds for active travel improvements. Maybe 2021 will be the start of something but I wouldn't hold my breath.

kub · 04-01-2021 1:44pm

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

With Covid mobility funds they had an opportunity in 2020 to finally at least *start* improving the place. They have been very slow in other areas too to be fair. Even with more funds for active travel improvements. Maybe 2021 will be the start of something but I wouldn't hold my breath.

They are in the process of improving the place, they have contractors working on the stream that runs through that park in Douglas and the area by The Lions House building is beginning to look very well and hopefully this is an indication of the standard that the City Council will bring to Douglas Village.

run_Forrest_run · 04-01-2021 5:01pm

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Roads with no cycling or bus priority infrastructure, it must be pointed out. Zilch in and around the village. And it will only get worse.

Douglas and surrounds are easily cycleable and is served by a huge number of bus routes. It's a shame local authorities continue to prioritise the movement of private cars, sealing Douglas' fate for years to come as nothing more than a cesspit of traffic and fumes, and all the negatives that come with it. Incredibly unpleasant for pedestrians. And they wonder why units in the village centre are empty.

I agree 100%. I often cycle through Douglas, I am a fairly confident cyclist so I can handle the traffic volumes but yes, the lack of proper cycling infrastructure makes it a dangerous place to cycle.

the beer revolu · 04-01-2021 7:00pm

I got slated in this forum for suggesting that someone on The Well Road shouldn't be taking their car to the supermarket.
I thought that was quite telling.

There needs to be a huge change of mindset. No amount of footpaths and cycle lanes will make a difference unless people want a different way of doing things. Currently, people want to keep doing things the way they always have done but without an increase in traffic. The big weekly shop isn't the only way of shopping.

corks finest · 04-01-2021 8:21pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

I got slated in this forum for suggesting that someone on The Well Road shouldn't be taking their car to the supermarket.
I thought that was quite telling.

There needs to be a huge change of mindset. No amount of footpaths and cycle lanes will make a difference unless people want a different way of doing things. Currently, people want to keep doing things the way they always have done but without an increase in traffic. The big weekly shop isn't the only way of shopping.

You're correct

JP Liz V1 · 05-01-2021 7:05pm

I assume Lidl will be arriving soon also to Douglas

corks finest · 05-01-2021 7:18pm

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

I assume Lidl will be arriving soon also to Douglas

FFS ill be parachuting in at this stage

beer enigma · 06-01-2021 2:42pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

I got slated in this forum for suggesting that someone on The Well Road shouldn't be taking their car to the supermarket.
I thought that was quite telling.

There needs to be a huge change of mindset. No amount of footpaths and cycle lanes will make a difference unless people want a different way of doing things. Currently, people want to keep doing things the way they always have done but without an increase in traffic. The big weekly shop isn't the only way of shopping.

I agree in principle but it's often cheaper buying in 'bulk' for the week and that's a huge consideration especially at the moment. I'm a regular user of the English Market as I believe in spending on quality produce where I can afford, but when it comes to the basics, Tesco, Aldi are fine. However I live at the top of the Well Road myself and to have to walk down and up several times a week with bags to cover a family of five just isn't practicable for me. Sure a pack of loo rolls takes up one hand which leaves me with one shopping bag.

Totally repect and admire your vision, but it just won't work for everyone

TheChizler · 06-01-2021 2:49pm

beer enigma wrote: »

Totally repect and admire your vision, but it just won't work for everyone

It it doesn't have to work for everyone, it's not all or nothing. If more took a more sustainable mode when practical it would make a big difference. Not driving for top up shops or to meet friends for coffee (when we can do that), that sort of thing. Letting the kids walk to training from Douglas

RINO87 · 06-01-2021 3:26pm

beer enigma wrote: »

I agree in principle but it's often cheaper buying in 'bulk' for the week and that's a huge consideration especially at the moment. I'm a regular user of the English Market as I believe in spending on quality produce where I can afford, but when it comes to the basics, Tesco, Aldi are fine. However I live at the top of the Well Road myself and to have to walk down and up several times a week with bags to cover a family of five just isn't practicable for me. Sure a pack of loo rolls takes up one hand which leaves me with one shopping bag.

Totally repect and admire your vision, but it just won't work for everyone

A cargo bike is an option

corks finest · 06-01-2021 3:32pm

RINO87 wrote: »

A cargo bike is an option

Feckin sherpa

mik_da_man · 06-01-2021 6:10pm

RINO87 wrote: »

A cargo bike is an option

Or even home delivery!!

A lot to be said for it at the moment...

beer enigma · 07-01-2021 4:05am

mik_da_man wrote: »

Or even home delivery!!

A lot to be said for it at the moment...

Tried that, bruised fresh stuff, wrong items, also means tesco van makes the same once a week trip I do

beer enigma · 07-01-2021 4:07am

RINO87 wrote: »

A cargo bike is an option

Up the Well Road, I'm 56, feck that

mik_da_man · 08-01-2021 5:05pm

beer enigma wrote: »

Tried that, bruised fresh stuff, wrong items, also means tesco van makes the same once a week trip I do

Frustrating that the shopping isn't correct, but the van holds many shoppers deliveries, therefore reducing traffic...

beer enigma · 09-01-2021 2:34am

mik_da_man wrote: »

Frustrating that the shopping isn't correct, but the van holds many shoppers deliveries, therefore reducing traffic...

True but I've then ended up driving some stuff back. As someone who shops in the market I like quality, Tesco bruised stuff I wouldn't have chosen, last week a ham that was more fat than meat and I'd say would have been unsold. If anyone thinks I'm walking down from the top of the Well Road to the shops and back every day, dream on

Homesick Alien · 31-03-2021 10:05am

I grew up in Douglas and my parents still live there. I genuinely could not believe it last time I was down when my parents told me an Aldi was going in where the old cinema is. I still can't believe it to be honest. The village has been ruined by shopping centres, a garage and now an Aldi and all the extra traffic that is going to bring. WTF were they thinking? Absolutely no vision for making the place liveable. They could have designated that area for the weekly market and had some permanent seating, green space, a small playground etc instead of it being squeezed in front of the shopping centre with nowhere to sit. They could have made the roads one way and had plenty of space for a two-way cycleway. There's so much they could have done but instead we get an Aldi and more traffic. It's a travesty. I mean there's already an Aldi 5 mins up the road in Grange!

LapsypaCork · 31-03-2021 11:27am

I felt so lucky when I moved to Douglas 20 years ago but not any more. If you look deep, there is nothing there really. Take a person in their 20’s or 30’s for example like my kids. They have nowhere to buy decent clothes, and have no reason to be visiting Douglas nowadays, neither do I and I’m in my 50’s. The village is now just one big food hall as that’s all I can ever see opening in recent years. The cinema wasn’t supported by locals hence its closure. TBH, I’d rather see some nice apartment builds over any more fast food/take aways. Hopefully the City Council will have a good look at any further planning requests from supermarkets and takeaways.

the beer revolu · 31-03-2021 12:13pm

LapsypaCork wrote: »

I felt so lucky when I moved to Douglas 20 years ago but not any more. If you look deep, there is nothing there really. Take a person in their 20’s or 30’s for example like my kids. They have nowhere to buy decent clothes, and have no reason to be visiting Douglas nowadays, neither do I and I’m in my 50’s. The village is now just one big food hall as that’s all I can ever see opening in recent years. The cinema wasn’t supported by locals hence its closure. TBH, I’d rather see some nice apartment builds over any more fast food/take aways. Hopefully the City Council will have a good look at any further planning requests from supermarkets and takeaways.

I grew up in the area, too. Now, it's really just a big car dependant shopping mall with crap shops and too much fast food.

namloc1980 · 31-03-2021 12:13pm

Grew up in Douglas too and my dad still lives there. Sad to say but it's an awful mess now. A concrete jungle with ridiculous traffic levels. The cinema site could have been the start of a new town centre with apartments, green space and a transport hub but instead it is just another concrete supermarket bunker surrounded by an ocean of tarmac car parking.

LapsypaCork · 31-03-2021 12:30pm

The entrance to the new Aldi is either through the East Village complex or off the roundabout by MCD’s, bad enough area for traffic on any rush hour, pains me to think of the congestion during busy weekends, Christmas etc. Thank God for the slip road by Tesco where I’ll be heading onto the Southlink and into The Market more often I think.
Also, going off topic here, but maybe they’ll now finally renovate the Aldi in Grange which has gone fairly manky.

Treehelpplease · 31-03-2021 3:48pm

the only time I go through Douglas is to get to town and the odd time Douglas Court. The city council really need to look at it, its too close to the city centre to be properly used by people I think. The Aldi shouldn't have been allowed, especially with there already being a Tesco, Tesco Express, Dunnes, Marks & Spencers and a SuperValu and Grange five minutes away. I saw on the other website skyscrapercity that there are plans for over a hundred apartments on east douglas street which is very welcome. More of that. I go to the park a lot too and its always exceptionally busy, so more of that too please. Not surface car parks and food stores

corks finest · 31-03-2021 4:44pm

Homesick Alien wrote: »

I grew up in Douglas and my parents still live there. I genuinely could not believe it last time I was down when my parents told me an Aldi was going in where the old cinema is. I still can't believe it to be honest. The village has been ruined by shopping centres, a garage and now an Aldi and all the extra traffic that is going to bring. WTF were they thinking? Absolutely no vision for making the place liveable. They could have designated that area for the weekly market and had some permanent seating, green space, a small playground etc instead of it being squeezed in front of the shopping centre with nowhere to sit. They could have made the roads one way and had plenty of space for a two-way cycleway. There's so much they could have done but instead we get an Aldi and more traffic. It's a travesty. I mean there's already an Aldi 5 mins up the road in Grange!

City manager needs a kick up the jacksy,Cork is gone corporate and shopping malls, instead of building house's with amenities,they plonk shopping centres willy nilly,
No thought into ppl trying to go about their everyday lives, Douglas and other places destroyed,have a sconsce at Carrigalines traffic,a ****in joke gone wrong

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 31-03-2021 7:33pm

Dundrum and Blackrock villages in Dublin got an overhaul last summer, one way traffic system through the village and a contraflow cycle lane, laods of new seating and public realm upgrade.

Douglas could easily have the same. Blackpool Village a similar story.

City Council here have no ambition whatsoever.

Mardyke · 31-03-2021 10:52pm

It's sad to say, but I would dodge Douglas nowadays. It's now easier and a more pleasant experience going into town rather than Douglas.

Irish Town planners seem to have no concept of creating town centres / plazas / piazza type area where people can gather and socialise or sit and read a paper or whatever.

AugustusMinimus · 01-04-2021 12:15pm

Was it not the County Council who gave permission for this Aldi and who are largely responsible for the traffic mess?

Dbu · 01-04-2021 12:23pm

Curb Your Enthusiasm wrote: »

Dundrum and Blackrock villages in Dublin got an overhaul last summer, one way traffic system through the village and a contraflow cycle lane, laods of new seating and public realm upgrade.

Douglas could easily have the same. Blackpool Village a similar story.

City Council here have no ambition whatsoever.

To be fair, Douglas is a lot cleaner since the City Council took over the running of it IMO
A road sweeper machine is around most days now
Cork County Council didnt give a toss about the place for years
Fingerpost a case in point. If McDonald's didn't take over the maintenance of that it would be overgrown.
Remember how the county council left it?

01-04-2021 4:52pm

Money talks unfortunately. Once the Aldi is built and commissioned, the council will wash their hands and be done with it. Seems to be a pattern of just build on whatever bit of land is available without taking a step back and thinking of what the village actually needs. I grew up in Douglas myself and its a far worse off place than it once was. Such a shame. I really did think they would build a new cinema or even some sort of new amenity that would benefit this generation.

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 01-04-2021 5:19pm

Another Aldi planned for Skehard Road Blackrock.

Curb Your Enthusiasm · 01-04-2021 5:20pm

Dbu wrote: »

To be fair, Douglas is a lot cleaner since the City Council took over the running of it IMO
A road sweeper machine is around most days now
Cork County Council didnt give a toss about the place for years
Fingerpost a case in point. If McDonald's didn't take over the maintenance of that it would be overgrown.
Remember how the county council left it?

That's fair enough, but Douglas needs a lot more than a road sweeper to improve.

Aldi Douglas

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