10.12 While the City Centre has experienced losses in the retail sector in recent years, there have been overall net gains in employment from office-based sectors, including high value clusters such as fintech, ICT and professional and internationally traded services. It is therefore important to continue to support office development in the City Centre, including the development of supported space for start-ups and co-working hubs. The retention of office uses on South Mall to support a mix of large, medium and small business will also be promoted. Non-office uses at ground floor level on South Mall will only be open for consideration in the part of the street east of Morrison’s Street on the south side and east of Beasley Street on the north side. Non-office uses on upper floors of heritage buildings will be open for consideration where they do not have a negative impact on the area or the heritage asset. Uses that will be considered favourably in this circumstance are residential, hotel or serviced accommodation. Quality Attractions and Night-Time Economy 10.13 The City Centre has a wide range of cultural, entertainment and leisure attractions including cafés, bars, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, music venues, libraries, galleries and museums. It is a centre for domestic and international tourism and Cork City Council will work with key stakeholders to improve the cohesiveness and appeal of key attractions in Cork City and enhance the overall City Centre experience. It is also aimed to expand the draw and offer of the Cultural Precincts at Shandon and South Parish including targeted measures such as investing in Shandon and Elizabeth Fort as well as promoting the historic spine that connects these areas along Shandon Street, North and South Main Street and Barrack Street. Leisure uses will also play an increasing role in the vibrancy and attractiveness of the City Centre.
10.14 A key part of ensuring the vibrancy of the City Centre is ensuring that activity is not limited to daytime but includes a diverse range of activity into the evening and night-time. This diverse range of social, cultural and economic activity is referred to as The Night-Time Economy (NTE). A healthy night-time economy is inclusive and appeals to all sectors of society such as family-oriented activities, festivals, street entertainment, night markets and pop-up shops. Opening museums, cultural institutions and retail units into the evening time is important as well as more traditional activities that are enjoyed at night-time such as cafés, bars and restaurants. 10.15 A Night-time Economy Taskforce was established by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in 2020 to prepare a report, on how best to serve those who work in, and wish to engage with, a vibrant night-time culture. Cork City Council is playing a central role in this process with the Lord Mayor of Cork a member of the Taskforce. Cork City Council will also continue to assess ways to advance and improve night-time entertainment and creative offerings. Cork City has a vibrant and growing food scene including the English Market, which could offer potential opportunities, focusing on the delivery of an authentic local food experience, working with local producers, restaurants, food service providers and food markets. 10.16 The issue of safety and security will be a key feature ensuring public spaces are well designed and properly lit. While a certain level of noise is associated with the night-time economy, Cork City Council will consider reasonable measures to ensure that music and other noise generated as part of the night time economy is managed as much as possible through improved sound-proofing, operational management and regulatory controls. It should be recognised that the night-time economy will have to coexist with an increased residential population and as such developments will be controlled and managed through the Development Management process, where there is likely to be negative impacts on residential amenity or the established character of the City Centre.
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Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022-2028
Volume 1 I Chapter 10
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