Cork Business Association launches ambitious 5-Year strategic framework

Cork Business Association (CBA), a voluntary collective of local business owners and managers in Cork City, has announced a significant milestone in its commitment to supporting its members and fostering positive change within the city.

Spearheaded by current President Kevin Herlihy, the association has developed a 5-Year Strategic Framework that outlines a clear vision, objectives, and pillars with actionable steps for the future.

Speaking to the Echo at the launch event, Herlihy said “I think that as a city there’s been a lot of storms in the last year, but we will ride this storm.

“January has been a tough month, but some people in this room have reported a good January, and I think that this plan, if there’s engagement from business owners within the city and its carried out, then it can only be positive.” 

Lord Mayor Cllr Kieran McCarthy gave an opening speech which highlighted the past, present and future, beginning with a look back to 1924 when Cork was still reeling from the damage it ensued in the burning by the Black and Tans.

Moving on to the present, he addressed the wave of recent closures in the city, but said it was important to keep sending out the message "Cork is open for business,” explaining that otherwise “we risk frightening off investors - if they think the whole trade industry is about to collapse, nobody would be investing.” 

He encouraged close collaboration between the CBA and the councillors to help enact this, saying that the challenges faced by the retail and hospitality sectors are constantly raised in council meetings, as are incentives to help businesses.

He said that Cork has a particularly high number of small to medium businesses, and that these are “the backbone of the economy,” sharing the good news that many business owners have reported having “a bumper Christmas.” 

Looking to the future, the Lord Mayor said “the population of Cork in 20 years’ time is set to double to 400,000 people, so the challenges we face now are going to double.” 

He predicted that “some of the hardest decisions are yet to come” related to climate in particular, and again encouraged collaboration with the council going forward.

Kevin Herlihy unveiled the five pillars of the strategic plan, beginning with Business Leadership, explaining that they will work under a restructured executive order, including seven new committees which they are recruiting for.

The second pillar is A Safe & Clean Cork City, with Herlihy explaining “Cork has achieved European recognition for being a safe and clean city, a status we are committed to preserving and advancing.

They will conduct regular pulse surveys, and lobby on behalf of members’ business interests with regards to issues that may directly and negatively impact the safety and security of the area.

The third pillar, Cork City Centre 2030 was introduced by development planner Clara O’Neil, who explained that this committee will lobby and run initiatives in the several areas.

These include more employment, housing and public transport, as well as flood protection, improved public service, a significantly reduced level of carbon emissions in the city and support for the retail and hospitality sector.

Fourthly, Herlihy discussed the Member Advisory Services pillar, which will see a professional services discount as well as training partnerships offered from members to members.

The final pillar is Networked Events, as the CBA has pledged to run more events in the upcoming years and already has a full calendar for 2024, including more regular business seminars focused on their priority areas.

Kevin concluded, “We now invite Cork businesses to collectively come together to support us in actioning this plan. Together, with shared vision and collaborative efforts, CBA aims to shape a future where Cork stands as a beacon of prosperity and resilience.”