Planning permission sought for new Cork city bowling alley

Planning permission has been sought for a new bowling alley and games bar at Half Moon St in the city.

The application, submitted by Progressive Commercial Construction Ltd, is seeking to develop the amenity at basement level within the existing shop structure on Lavitt’s Quay.

The games complex would be located in a vacant retail lot, beneath the existing Boots store.

The developer is requesting a change-of-use for the lot, spanning 2,148sq m, from retail to leisure/entertainment, with plans to introduce 25 jobs as part of the development.

The proposed plans would see the installation of 12 bowling alley lanes, a dedicated staff office area, a bar/reception with a glass-washroom and cellar, male and female toilets, and a dedicated games space with plans for pool, darts, karaoke and an arcade.

Access to the development would be provided via the existing elevators at ground floor level, or via an existing door and stairway to the western elevation of Half Moon Street.

Since the construction of the new Half Moon St development in 2011, the basement floor lot has remained vacant, with previous planning granted for the development of underground car parking. However, the development of the underground car park was not implemented.

The proposed amenity would operate seven days a week from 11am to 12.30am.

The introduction of the development will compete with the bowling alley at the Mardyke Entertainment Complex, and comes following the closure of the former bowling alley and games bar at Leisure Plex on MacCurtain St.

Cork City Council will make a decision on the application by November 17, with submissions accepted until October 27