Improvement and development of the built urban environment
Key observations
KPMG perspective
Heart of the City – Retail and Leisure modernisation
(Retail)
Heart of the City – Retail and Leisure modernisation: Heart of the City – Retail and Leisure modernisation: Develop stronger retail axis in the City Centre, provide modern retail space for domestic and international retail groups. Potential for Cook Street/Princess Street to become top quality restaurant streets with extensive outdoor eating space. • Period since 2014 has seen several retail closures in the City Centre. In 2016 Dunnes Stores closed its location at North Main St. GAP, Debenhams, Monsoon, Oasis, Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, and Warehouse have also since closed their city centre locations. • There have been some positive signals for retail in the city centre. In 2021 Penney’s applied for planning permission to expand their location on St. Patrick St. adding 17,000 square feet to existing 37,000 square feet of retail space . 2021 Baseline Survey indicates that there is 3,700 sq.m of retail space in the planning pipeline. • In 2020 CCC implemented temporary pedestrianisation of several streets within the City Centre to facilitate social distancing and encourage outdoor dining and social activities. After positive public reaction, in April 2021 it was announced that 17 streets in Cork City Centre would be permanently pedestrianised , including Cook Street and Princes Street, which has seen a significant increase in outdoor dining.
Some progress made
(Dining)
Progress clearly evident
Kyrl’s Quay
Requires uplift
Encourage development of a ‘destination’ development at Kyrl’s Quay e.g. a hotel. In summer 2021 a vacant plot at Kyrl’s Quay was used for the TEST SITE project. This saw the creation of a temporary public and new garden for native tree planting, combining art, architecture and ecology by hosting different events and providing walking tours of the surrounding areas. Plans being advanced by the City Council.
Progress clearly evident
Some progress made
Required Uplift
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