City Hall set to relax planning guidelines to allow new pubs and restaurants on Patrick's Street

Currently, both sides of Patrick Street and the eastern side of Daunt’s Square, Opera Lane, and Winthrop Street are designated for retail outlets only, under the Cork City Development Plan 2015-2021.
The policy means restaurants, cafés and pubs are not generally allowed to open at ground level.
The strict guidelines were a key reason why Starbucks was forced to close its Patrick Street outlet last September after it opened without proper planning permission in 2015.
A relaxation of the rules could potentially bring new bars, restaurants and coffee shops to Cork’s iconic street.
City Hall director of planning, Fearghal Reidy, said the current restrictions will be reviewed because retail trends are changing and the local authority must adapt.
“It is evident that with changing trends in retail and shifts in city centre uses to more food and leisure-type uses, this policy may be overly restrictive, particularly in areas with a high degree of vacancy such as the western side of Patrick’s Street, located between William Street and Lavitt’s Quay,” said Mr Reidy.