Plan submitted for gaming arcade in East Cork town 

A company which is planning a gaming arcade in Ballincollig has turned its attentions to Midleton where it has also submitted plans for a gaming/amusement arcade development, including a café and a five-bed apartment.

The Midleton development plan, submitted by Coalquay Leisure, includes seeking the change of use of an existing shop to a café and the change of use, amalgamation, and reconfiguration of part of an existing residential unit and storage shed to a gaming/amusement arcade at ground-floor level.

The proposed development, located at no 54 Main St in Midleton, provides for a single-storey extension to the rear of the building, which will form part of the gaming/amusement arcade use.

The proposed development also provides for the reconfiguration and refurbishment of the existing upper floors, which are in residential use, to form a single five-bedroom apartment unit.

Ancillary development works include elevational upgrades/amendments to the building, the provision of fascia signage from Distillery Lanes, and bin storage facilities.

Access to the proposed café and an existing apartment at the upper floors will be provided from Main St, with access to the proposed gaming/amusement arcade will be provided from Distillery Lanes to the rear.

Decision due

A decision due date for the Midleton application by Cork County Council is pencilled in for February 25.

Coalquay Leisure has been in the news in recent months regarding a proposed amusement arcade for Ballincollig.

In June 2024, Cork City Council refused permission for the gaming/amusement arcade at Unit 4, Westside Retail Park.

However, in October 2025, An Coimisiún Pleanála overturned the decision and gave the go-ahead to the plan.

A subsequent protest on the matter was attended by hundreds of people in Ballincollig.

Although Social Democrats Cork East TD Liam Quaide has welcomed the proposed reuse of the vacant building for a café and residential accommodation in Midleton, he has highlighted a number of issues with the gaming/amusement arcade element of the proposal.

“I have significant concerns regarding the inclusion of a gaming/amusement arcade or casino-type use as part of this development, particularly given its town centre location and its proximity to Main St.

“This element of the proposal raises serious and legitimate questions in relation to the promotion and normalisation of gambling and addiction-related behaviours,” he told The Echo.

“The long-term character and identity of Midleton town centre, the overall mix and balance of uses along Main St, the potential cumulative impact should similar uses be permitted elsewhere in the core area and whether such a use is compatible with objectives for a family-friendly, inclusive and diverse town centre,” he said.

Mr Quaide added: “Planning policy places strong emphasis on fostering high quality, mixed use centres that support independent retail, tourism, cultural activity and community life and that encourage a wide demographic to spend time in town cores throughout the day.

“In my view, a gaming or amusement arcade does not sit comfortably with these objectives in such a prime location.”

The Echo contacted Coalquay Leisure Limited for comment.