Cork City Council tendering for Marina Promenade coffee kiosk

Cork City Council is tendering for occupants of the coffee kiosk on Marina Promenade, as the current cafe operators say that they are hoping they will be granted permission to retain the spot.

The property has been listed on Daft.ie on behalf of Cork City Council, described as a “superbly located cafe kiosk opportunity on newly refurbished Marina Promenade”.

The riverside kiosk area at the western end of the promenade, is adjacent to public parking and situated at the junction of Centre Park Rd and Marina Promenade which has recently been upgraded and enhanced by Cork City Council.

The revamped Marina Promenade was officially opened in April by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, delivering an 1.8km-long new amenity space extending from Centre Park Rd to Blackrock village with age-friendly seating, riverside viewing balconies, enhanced landscaping, and environmentally sensitive public and feature lighting.

The opportunity for anyone looking to take over the cafe consists of leasing a portion of land (280sq m) on Marina Promenade adjacent to the River Lee.

Cork City Council installed the planters, screening, and attached benches currently on site, but the remainder of the infrastructure belongs to the existing cafe operator.

The existing operator, Cortado, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary of opening on the Marina.

Owned by husband and wife, Alan and Michelle Cashman, Cortado was originally a catering company for office staff in Dublin and in Cork, prior to offices closing in March 2020 due to covid. They had operated from a van before moving into the council kiosk.

Mr Cashman told The Echo that when they moved to the council site, “it was flagged to us that it would be going to tender, and now it has”.

He said they will be putting in an application to continue operating there.

“We’re very much hoping to retain it, so fingers crossed.”

Detailed proposal forms are available from the leasing agent, and lease proposals will be accepted up to July 31 at 3pm.