Boxd Coffee owners disappointed at council refusal for popular Carrigrohane Rd driv-thru

The owners of the Boxd Coffee chain say they are disappointed with Cork City Council’s decision to refuse them planning permission to retain their drive-thru on the Carrigrohane Rd.

The popular outlet has operated at the location for the past six years, but the business was issued with a warning letter by the council earlier this year.

Boxd subsequently lodged a planning application seeking retention permission for the development. However, in a decision this week, planners in City Hall refused permission for the development.

Cousins Michael Harding and Aidan Kiely, who founded the coffee chain, said they will be appealing the decision in relation to the Carrigrohane Rd outlet, which continues to operate.

“We are naturally deeply disappointed by Cork City Council’s decision to reject our application for the redevelopment of our site in Carrigrohane,” they said in a statement. 

“The council’s main concern was cited as traffic. We proposed an increase in drive-thru capacity from 10 cars to 40. This 300% increase was far more than we would ever need.”

They also criticised the planning process, and said there needed to be more opportunities for businesses to engage with planners on such issues.

They said: “For businesses that are creating local employment, working with local suppliers and investing heavily in their communities, there really needs to be a clear channel of communication with the local authorities.

“Cork has a strong drive-thru sector, and we appreciate that planning authorities have to consider traffic and the wider impact of developments. However, this decision could potentially set a precedent that affects many other businesses and developments across the city, which is particularly disappointing.”