Well-known Cork company seeks permission to open major new store at former Webprint building

Long-standing Cork furniture retailer Caseys Furniture is planning a major expansion and relocation from Cork city centre, with proposals to open a new store at the former Webprint facility in Mahon Retail Park.

The furniture retailer, which has traded in Ireland for more than 100 years, has lodged plans to convert the former printing facility, which extends across more than 1.4 hectares, into a large furniture store and showroom.

It is understood the former Webprint facility was acquired by Caseys Furniture at the beginning of 2026.

John Casey Ltd has applied to Cork City Council for planning permission to convert and extend the existing premises, ranging from one to five storeys, from its former use as a newspaper and magazine printing facility into a furniture retail unit, showroom and cafe.

If approved, the warehouse would be internally reconfigured to provide retail showroom space across the ground and first floors, bringing the net retail warehouse space to more than 4,600sqm.

A customer cafe is also proposed for the first floor, alongside additional showroom space created through a ground-floor extension and a new entrance lobby on the opposite side of the building.

The proposal also includes a first-floor balcony adjoining the planned cafe. John Casey Ltd proposes retaining the existing car park, which provides 28 spaces.

Planning documents submitted to Cork City Council this month state that the proposed development will facilitate Caseys Furniture's relocation from its city centre premises on Oliver Plunkett St and Grand Parade.

John Casey Ltd said it is "fully committed to supporting a thriving and growing city centre in Cork", adding that it will maintain its presence at the Oliver Plunkett St and Grand Parade premises until future uses for the property have been secured.

Subject to planning approval, the proposed store would operate from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and from 12pm on Sundays. It would employ 18 staff across a full standard working week.

John Casey Ltd said the development is expected to be completed and operational in 2027. Founded in 1921 by John Casey, Caseys Furniture operates three stores in Cork, Limerick and Dublin, employing around 75 people.

The developer said the former Webprint building, which ceased printing at the site in August last year, would be given a simplified architectural form as part of the redevelopment, with plans to soften its appearance and create a more "welcoming identity".

Cork City Council is due to make a decision on the planning application by September 3, 2026.

In the meantime, Caseys Furniture said it has commissioned an architect and property agent to undertake a feasibility study into the potential reuse and redevelopment of its city centre premises.