Business closures make Cork City a sorry sight

The economy is allegedly improving. This may well be evident in Dublin 2 and 4, where, I suspect, politicians and commentators spend most of their blinkered lives.

In the country’s second city, Cork, the main shopping arteries are floundering because of closures, derelict sites, and charity and discount shops.

North Main Street, part of the city’s medieval main artery, has nine empty shops, two large, derelict sites, eight charity shops, several discount stores, exchange marts and internet cafes. The adjoining Castle Street has one large derelict site and four empty shops.

The short section of South Main Street, from North Main Street to Washington Street, has nine empty premises, including three derelict sites. Cork’s main shopping street, Patrick Street, has 16 empty shops. The pedestrianised Oliver Plunkett Street has seven closed shops and Grand Parade has four closed commercial premises and a long-closed multiplex cinema.

Parnell Place similarly has several permanently derelict buildings and empty premises. Many visitors to Cork, who venture outside the English Market, comment on the shabby, run-down, dirty and impoverished city.

Why are our politicians, local and national, allowing this city to go to rack and ruin?

Cork could, and should, be a showcase Irish city and a proud and thriving gateway to the surrounding delights of all Munster. Between the gates of the city it is a sorry sight.

Martin Krasa

107 Sunday’s Well Road

Cork