Bank of Ireland is to close 88 branches in the Republic, with nine of those in Co Cork. Residents say it is just the latest ‘kick in the teeth’ for rural economies, John Bohane reports

CORK hotelier Michael Magner has called on the government to deliver further reforms and legislation to help bring down insurance premium costs.

A Cork business aiming to "spark conversations about incredible people" with children has been given the seal of approval by CervicalCheck campaigner Vicky Phelan.

A specialist software integration firm is set to add a new Cork presence to its number of locations across the country. SL Controls has recruited a new Director of Corporate Services who will head up development in the region.

LATEST: Nine Bank Of Ireland branches in Cork are to close, as the bank reduces its network in the Republic by 88 outlets.  It follows a deal with An Post to offer customers access to banking services at more than 900 locations.

The team from Kinsale Spirit Company were in the Port of Cork Container Terminal today to watch as a shipment of Kinsale Gin and Red Earl Irish Whiskey was loaded for export to China.

The commercial vacancy rate in Cork increased by 0. 5 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to a new report.

A staple of the Cork pub scene, The Roundy, is up for auction on March 19 with a guide price of €650,000.

Former Arcadia workers from Evans and Dorothy Perkins held a socially distanced protest on Tuesday morning outside their store to highlight the increasingly precarious conditions retail workers are under.

48,101 people in Cork received the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) this week, a slight decrease on last week when 48,658 people in the county were in receipt of the payment.

Hotel and guesthouse owners in Cork are calling for an urgent review of business and employment supports for the hospitality sector.

The hashtag 'Shine Bright Natasha' has been trending on social media today in remembrance of Natasha O'Donoghue (née Lynch), well known in Cork as the founder of Essential French.

Reports that nightclubs look set to be allowed to stay open later and Sunday pub opening hours will be extended later this year under a plan by the justice minister to reform the licensing laws have been welcomed.

Wellness and wellbeing will be in focus for Local Enterprise Week 2021 which gets underway next Monday.

A LEADING Cork hotelier has warned that the hospitality sector is facing a very “bleak future” if the industry does not reopen until the middle of summer.

Around 160,000 hospitality workers who reportedly will not return to their jobs before mid-summer due to ongoing lockdown restrictions are devastated, hoteliers in Ireland have said.

BUSINESS figures within the Cork hospitality industry have expressed their disappointment following the Taoiseach’s admission that Ministers will not consider reopening hospitality until the middle of the summer.

Ministers will not consider reopening hospitality until the middle of the summer, the Taoiseach said. Micheál Martin expressed concern about uncertainties surrounding new variants of coronavirus and high numbers of infections.

Tributes have been paid following the death of Natasha O'Donoghue (née Lynch), well known in Cork as the founder of Essential French. Ms O’Donoghue passed away peacefully at home on Friday, surrounded by her family.

The Brittany Ferries Cork to France passenger service will not be resuming at the end of March, the company has announced.

The Jerusalema challenge has been given a fresh look by the Carrigaline Court Hotel who have taken on the sweeping trend with a dancing bear.

The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) has called on the Government to introduce bespoke business supports in order to save the travel industry.

The most recent addition to the dining scene on Princes Street has been given the green light by Cork City Council to remain as a permanent eatery on the street.

There has been a drop in the number of people receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). This week, the Department of Social Protection has issued weekly payments valued at €143.

Smarttech247 has announced plans to hire 30 more staff in Cork to support their continued growth and expansion.

A €9. 5m micro-sleeper hotel is to open in Cork city in May. The hotel which is part of the ‘REZz’ hotel brand is located on the corner of MacCurtain St and York St on the site of the former Windsor Inn.

BUSINESSES across Cork have been adapting to Covid-19 guidelines and this Valentine’s Day is no different. Shops, restaurants, cafes, and hotels have found ways to make up for losses from what is usually a very busy weekend.

The dance craze started by the Gardaí continues to sweep the country, with longstanding Cork motor group Johnson & Perrott the latest company to get in on the act.

A CORK barber has said that he is “devastated” following the news that hairdressers and barbers will be opening their doors “much later” than 5 March.

A Cork business representative has welcomed the Government announcement of additional supports for the sector but said that it is essential they are provided to businesses as soon as possible.

Cabinet is hoping to agree to a revised plan to reopen society and the economy by February 22, the Tánaiste has said. The proposals would come into effect on March 5 at the earliest, and would be a revision to the existing Living with Covid-19 plan.

More than 49,000 people in Cork will receive the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) today. The Department of Social Protection has issued weekly payments valued at €144. 59m to 481,331 people in receipt of the PUP this week, an increase of 1,698 (0.

Cork County Council is to seek a judicial review regarding the Government’s opposition to plans for a Kildare Village-style retail village in East Cork.

Cork Airport is now offering Antigen Covid-19 tests for Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers travelling to Continental Europe from this Saturday.

Solidarity TD Mick Barry said this morning that the Government needs to take another initiative in an attempt to resolve the Debenhams dispute. His comments came as the dispute reached the 300 day mark.

The Topshop/Topman store in Cork is set to remain closed as it has been confirmed the brands have been sold to online retail giant ASOS for around €334m.

THE Government is likely to take a "conservative and cautious" approach to easing restrictions, the Taoiseach has said.

CORK Chamber has today launched its Cork Company of the Year Awards. The awards, held in association with Vodafone Ireland, celebrate the best of Cork business from new, emerging businesses right through to international organisations.

CORK businesses, services, and community groups registered 5,295 new . ie domains in 2020 as the county mobilised online in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The number represents a 30% increase from the previous year. In total, 65,113 new .

Lidl Ireland is to recruit more than 153 new employees to its Cork-based operations this year while its current employees can look forward to an upcoming bonus.

Shell has signed an agreement with Irish developer Simply Blue Energy to acquire a 51% share of their Simply Blue Energy Kinsale venture.

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 programme is seeking nominations for entrepreneurs from emerging businesses to established international groups across all sectors in Cork.

Alter Domus, a leading provider of integrated solutions for the alternative investment industry, has announced the creation of 100 new jobs in Cork, substantially increasing headcount at its European Centre of Excellence near the city.

One of Cork’s biggest bars is hoping to reopen for outdoor dining in March following optimistic sentiments from Tánaiste Leo Varadkar regarding Q2.

Over 48,000 people in Cork received the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) this week amid a national increase in the number of recipients. This week, the Department of Social Protection has issued weekly payments valued at €142.

Online fashion retailer Boohoo has bought the Debenhams brand and website for £55 million in a deal that will see the eponymous department store name survive, but the company's remaining 118 stores close for good.

Recruiter site IrishJobs. ie showed Cork saw a 4% quarterly growth in job vacancies from quarter three, 2020 versus quarter four, but vacancies in Cork were down 8% year-on-year.

More than 47,000 people in Cork are currently receiving the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP). Newly published figures from the Department of Social Protection show it has issued weekly payments valued at €138.

Calls for the Government to increase the (Covid Restrictions Support Scheme) payments, extend the EWSS (Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme) and abolish rates for the year are coming from Cork’s retail and hospitality sectors.

FORMER Debenhams workers have voted against proposals put to them by Labour Court chairperson Kevin Foley with 393 votes against the proposals and 37 in favour.