Untitled - Cork City Council

Cork Strategic Retail Study
store and a number of fast food outlets - has also been built. It is a neighbourhood
centre for the local residential community as well as the large workforce employed at
Little Island.
3.37 Carrigtwohill, further east, is a smaller settlement containing only 730m 2 of comparison
goods floorspace and 920m 2 of convenience floorspace. There have been no new
developments completed since 2002, but 8,400sqm of retail warehousing is under
construction at the Fota Retail Park. Large employment and housing developments
are planned in Carrigtwohill, on the Castlelake sites. The projected population growth
of the OMA will lead to a requirement for additional convenience floorspace and some
comparison shopping to meet the weekly shopping needs of the local catchment area.
3.38 Glanmire, to the north east, is a purpose built neighbourhood shopping facility, which is
anchored by a large SuperValu foodstore. The centre comprises only 340m 2 of
comparison goods floorspace but 2,295m 2 of convenience floorspace. Since 2002, the
Supervalu has been extended. There are no committed developments, however there
are some available brownfield sites in town centre and edge locations.
3.39 Rents are €325 / sqm, again an increase of only 17% since 2002.
3.40 To the south Carrigaline is one of the larger metropolitan towns, supporting 5,075m 2 of
comparison goods floorspace and 4,350m 2 of convenience floorspace. Like
Ballincollig to the west, Carrigaline has seen significant retail development in the last
few years. Since 2002 a Dunnes (comparison and convenience) a Lidl and a 4-Home
retail warehouse have been developed. Rents are €540 / sqm, on a par with Midleton.
3.41 The Local Area Plan allocates a 10.4ha town centre expansion to include a
considerable retail element. This is contingent on the construction of a western relief
bypass to ease congestion.
3.42 In the southeast, Cobh provides shopping facilities for a localised catchment. Cobh
supports 1,165m 2 of comparison goods floorspace and 3,270m 2 of convenience
floorspace. There is poor retail provision in the town centre relative to the size of the
local population. Since 2002, a new Supervalu has been developed in Cobh, which
has greatly improved the convenience retail offer. There are two out-of-centre Centra
stores. There is also some committed development, most notably an Aldi and Lidl and
a new retail warehouse. There are three derelict sites in the town which could
accommodate some further development.
3.43 Rents are €325 / sqm, an increase of only 17% since 2002. Cobh is popular tourist
destination. It is also a port of call for cruise liners and so benefits from some spend by
visitors and crew, although this is modest. Tourist related outlets make up a significant
part of the overall offer. The combination of the quality of the natural setting and the
public realm in Cobh is the town’s major strength. Traffic flow is congested due to the
compact centre and lack of alternative routes.
3.44 To the south east is Passage West, a very small centre supporting only 70m 2 of
comparison goods floorspace and 170m 2 of convenience floorspace. There has been
no development since 2002, although the dockyards are a potential development area.
The centre is run down and there are traffic and parking problems.
Ring Towns
3.45 Mallow is the largest of the ring towns, supporting 8,360m 2 of comparison goods
floorspace and 5,790m 2 of convenience floorspace. The town has a wide range of
both convenience and comparison outlets.
3.46 In line with its status as a hub town in the National Spatial Strategy, Mallow has seen a
large amount of new development since 2002. Over 6,500sqm net (comparison and
convenience) has been developed at Dunnes, Market Square – this has improved the
strength of the town and enabled it to compete more effectively with Blackpool
Roger Tym & Partners with Simon Clear & Associates
March 2008 17