Untitled - Cork City Council

Cork Strategic Retail Study
3.25 Togher comprises 950m 2 of comparison goods floorspace and 1,290m 2 of
convenience floorspace, anchored by a Lidl store.
3.26 Kinsale Road is a medium sized concentration (4,555m 2 net) of retail warehouses in
converted industrial/warehouse buildings within an industrial area. Whilst popular this
does not provide a high standard of retail environment. However, the new Woodies
complex which borders the South Link Road (housing over 6,000m 2 net floorspace in
Woodies and two smaller units) does provide a reasonable environment.
Outer Metropolitan Area
3.27 Metropolitan towns are identified in CASP and are distributed to the east and west of
Cork City. To the west, Ballincollig is one of the larger metropolitan towns, with
5,745m 2 of comparison goods floorspace and 4,465m 2 of convenience floorspace
Since 2002, new retail development has taken place at the Former Murphy’s Barracks
site which has doubled the size of the centre. There is planning permission for a
further retail extension (anchor store) in the town centre and there are other central
opportunities.
3.28 Rents are currently €540 / sqm, the same as in Midleton and Carrigaline. This is a
36% rise since 2002. Ballincollig is a successful centre that is attractive to developers,
retailers and shoppers alike.
3.29 Blarney is also located to the west and provides neighbourhood facilities. It contains
2,255m 2 of comparison goods floorspace and 1,915m 2 of convenience floorspace.
Blarney has a significant tourism function. Rents are lower than in the other
metropolitan towns, at €325 / sqm.
3.30 Since 2002, Supervalu has been extended in Blarney. There are also retail allocations
for an extension to Blarney and for a new settlement at Monard, this latter being part of
the rail strategy.
3.31 Close to Blarney is Tower. This comprises 2,315m 2 of comparison goods floorspace
and 760m 2 of convenience floorspace. Since 2002, the Tower Shopping Centre has
been developed, which consists of 1,930 sqm net of retail floorspace, both
convenience and comparison. Because of the planned extension to Blarney it is now
unlikely that the town will grow.
3.32 To the east, Midleton is now the largest metropolitan town in terms of retail provision,
containing 7,450m 2 of comparison goods floorspace and 5,385m 2 of convenience
floorspace.
3.33 Since 2002 there has been considerable new development in Midleton. The Market
Green shopping centre has been completed, comprising over 8,000sqm of retail
warehousing plus comparison units and a Tesco store. There are further planning
permissions for a Lidl store and another convenience store and new proposals are
being discussed.
3.34 Prime retail rents in Midleton are €430-540 / sqm. There is demand from a range of
businesses in the town and for a range of sizes and types of unit. Vacancy is low – only
one unit at present, with the Market Green development nearly all let.
3.35 Accessibility into Midleton is generally a strength. Car borne shoppers are well
provided for in terms of parking supply both off-street and on-street. Public transport
services from the outlying catchment area are good and will be improved by the
proposed suburban rail line.
3.36 Also to the east, Little Island contains only 130m 2 of comparison goods floorspace and
400m 2 of convenience floorspace. It is a strategic industrial area where 13,000 m 2
net of retail warehousing has been developed at the Eastgate Retail Park. This is not
yet occupied. Ancillary development for workers - including the Spar convenience
Roger Tym & Partners with Simon Clear & Associates
March 2008 16