Boxd coffee opening two new city locations despite Midleton planning setback

Coffee chain expects employee numbers to rise above 100 in the coming months

Boxd is opening a new outlet in a vacant unit of the Blackpool Shopping Centre in September and expects to be in a position to announce a further Cork location in the near future.

Cork's Boxd coffee is continuing to expand its operations, eyeing two new outlets despite permission being refused to retain its drive-thru outlet in Midleton.

The chain, headed by cousins Michael Harding and Aidan Kiely, currently operates drive-thrus and walk-up cafes on Ballincollig's Link Road and on the Carrigrohane Straight Road. It also operates a cafe on the Bandon Road, along with the Swoon dessert outlet on Oliver Plunkett Street and a kiosk in Douglas.

Last week, Boxd was granted planning permission for new premises on the city's Washington Street, with planners in City Hall giving the go-ahead to change the use of the vacant ground-floor office at Florence Buildings on the corner of Washington St and Hanover Place into a cafe. 

In addition to this, the company has now confirmed it is opening a new outlet in a vacant unit of the Blackpool Shopping Centre in September and expects to be in a position to announce a further Cork location in the near future.

The expansions will see Boxd's employee numbers rise above 100 in the coming months with the company firmly committed to expansion in Cork. Boxd has also received interest from outside Cork and abroad with the potential for the chain's model to be expanded further.

In relation to the Midleton, the company is currently examining the planning decision and has the option of appealing it to An Comisiun Pleanála.

The outlet had opened in January, creating 15 jobs. However, it closed in June to resolve the planning issues, with an application lodged to retain the premises 

However, planners in County Hall this week refused permission to retain the outlet. They said the development, outside the town centre, would conflict with objectives to promote the development of town centres and neighbourhood centres as the primary locations for retail.

They also said the drive-thru would result in traffic queuing on the Midleton Northern Relief Road, which is an important transport corridor needed to cater for larger residential expansion in the area. "It is likely to impact on the enduring function of the relief road as an essential transport corridor for existing and future planned development. Accordingly, the proposed development, if permitted, would endanger public safety by impacting the free flow of traffic and causing the obstruction of road users," the council said.

Boxd said they were very disappointed by the decision and have been inundated with messages of support and also frustration from the local community in regards to it. 

"We remain very committed to growing and investing in Cork," Boxd said. "The proposed redevelopment of Carrigrohane and the opening of our new Washington Street location is a clear example of that commitment."

"We are naturally disappointed with the Midleton decision, we remain extremely positive about the future of the business and our plans to continue investing, growing and creating employment."

Seperatley, Boxd is awaiting a planning decision to retain its drive-thru on the Carrigrhane Straight Road, which remains open for business. A decision on that application is expected this month.