Plan for food court at Cork city shopping centre given green light

Planning permission has been granted for the renovation of a section of Cork’s Paul Street Shopping Centre.

The plan, submitted in September by Holren Properties Ahall Ltd, seeks to change the use of the existing first-floor retail area in the centre to a food court area.

It is proposed that this area, formerly used as a dual space for health-food store Natural Choice and gaming shop Other Realms, would include four new food kiosks and kitchen areas, one movable food kiosk, a staff bathroom, and a communal dining area.

The application also seeks to remove an existing glazed balcony wall inside the shopping centre, to be replaced with partition and toughened glass on top.

An exterior horizontal extraction system over Paul’s Lane would also be installed, to be connected to the existing vertical extraction unit between the food court area and the car park, with connections into existing public services on site.

Sustainable development

Approving the proposed development, Cork City Council said it considered that, subject to compliance with the conditions set out, the development “would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area, and is in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.

There are 11 conditions attached to the council’s approval of the development, with one stipulating that in the interest of clarity and orderly development, the operation of the food court shall be restricted to the hours of 8am to 11pm on any day.

Any deviation from these hours will require prior written approval from the planning authority.

Speaking to The Echo at the time of submission, a spokesperson for Holren Properties said that the company wants to renovate the space “to develop a vibrant commercial and social hub in the heart of old Cork”.

“We envisage this project will be a catalyst for a vibrant marketplace, and in turn benefit the streets that radiate out from the centre, [as] a rising tide lifts all boats,” the spokesperson said.

“The introduction of a culinary and community hub in the heart of the city will increase the vibrancy for inner city neighbourhoods [and] showcase the innovation that can happen.

“The synergy of a combined offering helps both the individual business and the customer enjoy a wider choice under the one roof.”