Planners say yes to overhaul of Merchant’s Quay

PLANNING permission has been granted for the upgrade of the Merchant’s Quay shopping centre to change the exterior of the building and add an upstairs licenced restaurant.

Property development company Clarendon lodged an application in February seeking to upgrade the exterior of the building on both the Patrick’s Street and Merchant’s Quay facades. 

They also sought permission to change the use of the former Kylemore restaurant on the first floor to a licensed restaurant with a new direct pedestrian entrance from Patrick’s Street.

The company said they want to create a new large, first-floor window on the corner of Merchant’s Quay and Patrick’s Street to open up the views of the river.

Clarendon said they plan to attract a “high quality” restaurant to the location which is consistent with City Hall plans for a “fusion of shopping, leisure and entertainment” in the main city centre retail area. 

Planning was granted this week by Cork City Council.