It comes as the Low Pay Commission has reportedly recommended a 5% increase to the national minimum wage, which would take it from €13.50 per hour to around €14.15 per hour if approved by government.

When contacted by The Echo, a spokesperson for Musgrave, which owns the SuperValu franchise, said the company did not wish to comment at this time.

Entitled “pathway to innovate” and delivered by Skillnet Innovation Exchange and IRDG Innovation Skillnet, the initiative provides innovative and entrepreneurial support to SMEs.

Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber, said the awards are a calendar highlight, and celebrate the ambition and creativity that define Cork business.

According to stakeholder correspondence, seen by The Echo, following an assessment conducted over recent months, it is the organisation’s intention to close its Cork office, “consolidating BNY’s Ireland footprint primarily into our Dublin location”.

Whitbread PLC, the owner of Premier Inn, previously opened a 187-bedroom hotel in 2024 on Morrison’s Quay.

Cork business representatives and ambassador Edward S Walsh met on Friday to discuss priorities for Cork’s business community in the context of the current international trading environment.

The board has been meeting monthly since January, and the issuing of a public information notice “is now effectively a call for expressions of interest for engagement with potential developers and operators”, a council spokesperson said.

The Cotton Ball Bar was established in 1874 and has spanned four generations of the Lynch family throughout its more than a century and a half long tenure of trading.

The Midleton Dinos fast-food restaurant, which has been open for business since May, is located at Market Green in Knockgriffin and near to the Midleton Fire Station.

The company completed the Dunkettle Interchange upgrade scheme and a Pfizer project in Ringaskiddy over the past 18 months.

Cork South-West TD and minister for nature, heritage, and biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said that the unique post office, believed to be the only one of its kind with a steeple, has retained much of its original form, character, and artistic qualities, with only minor alterations.

The new products, which came to fruition through Lidl’s Kickstart Programme, include two Cork-made food items.

Conor Healy has been chief executive of the Cork Chamber for the past two decades. He tells Rachel Lysaght he has overseen the growth and evolution of the more than 200-year-old organisation at a time when Cork has become the fastest-growing city region in Ireland

Cork County Council staff were present at each port to welcome and assist passengers and crew, handing out maps and brochures to encourage the cruise visitors to return and discover all the region has to offer.

Conor Healy said that the inclusion of pharmaceuticals and semiconductors in the agreement is important given their key role in the Irish economy.

The 83-year-old man said the extension has caused huge disturbance to him including noise, which is “considerable and unbearable”. 

The council granted permission this week for what will be McDonald’s twelfth Cork outlet, which will be adjacent to Aldi at Pottery Road, Carrigaline West.

The route will also provide peak-time service connectivity to Forthill, Kinsale College, Kinsale Community Hospital, Halfway, Ballinhassig, Wilton, CUH, MTU and regional buses.

Funds raised this year will support the paediatric emergency and childhood cancer unit at Cork University Hospital (CUH), as well as local charities, families in need, and community projects.

More than 60 employees volunteered their time and energy to transform overgrown gardens in Turner’s Cross, Blackrock, and Farranree in to safe, accessible, and welcoming outdoor spaces.

“Like so many small businesses, we faced challenges with rising costs, ongoing staffing struggles, and seasonality," they said in an online post.

The new development at the site will consist of 170 residential units, including 12 townhouse apartments, to include 51 one-bed apartments, 84 two-bed, and 35 three-bed units.

Last November, the Blackpool premises of commercial laundry CWS Workwear was gutted by a major fire.

The ‘Food and Fashion’ brunch is just one of many highlights of this year’s Cork on a Fork Festival, a five-day, city-wide celebration of Cork’s food culture.

The new Tria Café in Cork city basks in 18 acres of greenery. KATE RYAN talks to the owners to find out why they decided to open a business there. 

The minister for culture, communications, and sport, Patrick O’Donovan, said there are currently nine night-time economy advisors situated across the country, including one in Cork city. 

The former lord mayor suggested that a recent announcement indicating that Dublin City Council was investing €30m in that city’s Victorian Market should “act as a spur” for Cork.

The chamber’s pre-budget submission urges the Government to implement a competitive taxation policy to reduce administrative burdens for businesses and enable innovation and entrepreneurship.

15 new local jobs have been created.

The deal, which was agreed on Sunday by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen with US president Donald Trump in the ballroom of his Turnberry golf course in Scotland, committed to 15% tariffs on most EU exports to the US.

The Cobh bank was one of nine Cork branches which closed in October 2021

CBA president Dave O'Brien said: "The country is still seeing between 30 to 40 restaurant closures every month. Without immediate support, more will follow.”

According to Cork business leaders, the clarity and stability generated by an agreement was to be welcomed but had come at a high cost.

The alleged offences occurred between 2017 and 2022.

The total — more than €2.6m — was paid to elected members of Cork County Council during 2024, with 14 councillors receiving payments in excess of €50,000.

The Lord Mayor made the announcement at a reception in City Hall to celebrate the contribution of the arts sector to the life of the city.

The Tánaiste said the best time to check your passport’s expiry date is before booking a holiday, and the second best time is today!

Both project plans were developed by Tom Phillips and Associates, which was also nominated for the Planning Consultancy of the Year award.

The new store, just off Mill Rd and Courthouse Rd, was officially opened by EU Commissioner Michael McGrath.

Ifac, which has offices in Bandon, Blarney, Skibbereen, and Mallow, announced the new roles today, as the company said it has plans for further expansion across Ireland.

Advocate claims that some senior citizens are confined in their homes and will not venture into the city centre for lack of public toilets.

Business Platforms, which has a base in Penrose Dock, plans to double its workforce in Cork by adding a total of 75 new jobs.

Customers can avail of post office services in Buttevant which is 7.8km away, Castletownroche 11.4km away, Mallow 11.7km and Kildorrery 14km away. 

In 2021, Penneys submitted plans to expand and redevelop the store, increasing the retail space by 17,000sq ft to 54,000sq ft, with the project encompassing a site that stretches from Robert St to Cook St, and from Patrick Street to Oliver Plunkett St.

“We’d like a home which is a flagship store, it will be the best store we’ll ever do in Ireland for sure.”

The bar opened in 2022, and was owned by the Clancy’s group, which also owns Clancy’s, JJ Walsh’s, and Conway’s Yard.

Mr Iqbal told The Echo that recently “a disturbing trend has emerged on the streets of Cork and beyond”.

Mike Ryan, the owner of Coqbull and Cornstore in Cork city centre, was speaking to The Echo as the Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) launched its pre-Budget submission in Dublin.

Key challenges must be addressed in Budget 2026 to protect the vibrancy and sustainability of business in Cork city, says Dave O’Brien, President of Cork Business Association