It is understood that the distinctive office block at No 1 South Mall, Cork, has now gone sale agreed with agent, Lisney. This unique building in the heart of Cork’s business district was offered for sale in March of this year on behalf of receiver Michael McAteer of Grant Thornton.

Investment property activity is continuing through to year’s end in and around Cork city centre streets by the Penneys site, which is expected to go forward for planning permission next month for a major redevelopment, after a two-year site assembly

The Wilton Shopping Centre purchase pairing (as part of the Hazel Portfolio sale) of Irish property development and investment company Clarendon Properties, with US-based York Capital Management, bodes well for Wilton’s future, say market observers.

AS the Nama sale of Wilton Shopping Centre inches forward, discount retailer Lidl is about to seek planning permission to join Aldi in the same Cork City western suburb.

INVESTORS seeking a return close to 13% on their €1m investment should beat a path to Cork’s Marlboro Street and to nos 40/41, home to travel company Trailfinders, which is occupying on a 25-year lease from 2006.

Cork County Council is taking legal action to recoup an insurance policy to fix what has been dubbed “the worst ghost estate in Ireland”.

DEVELOPER John Cleary hasemerged as the preferred bidder for Cork city centre’s prime Capitol cinema site on Grand Parade, and aims to build a mix of big-box retail units, aimed at the likes of Zara and Forever 21, and fourth generation offices on the site which links back to Patrick’s Street. 

Up to five parties made bids on Cork city’s Capitol Cinema site with a decision on its disposal now resting with Nama.

Amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, an iconic Cork store that has traded for more than 120 years closed its doors for the last time.

Billed as Cork City’s "last great retail site of note", a plot of more than half an acre on St Patrick’s St and Grand Parade — including the Capitol Cinema site and Central Shoe Stores — goes for sale next week.

Nama has installed receivers to take control of a suite of companies run by a publicity-shy property investor once regarded one of the country’s most ambitious boom-time speculators.

A CHANGE of retail brand is on the cards, with the planned €4m sale of a modern supermarket in Cork harbour town, Passage West.

An investment property just off Cork City’s St Patrick’s Street which was owned by investor/developer Joe O’Donovan has a current rent of €135,000, on upward only reviews, and is now for sale, guiding €1.2 million, an 11% yield.

Due up for sale by tender on Sept 19, this 30-acre parcel of land at Galley Head, West Cork, should entice all and sundry.

West Cork land in a stunning location will draw international interest as well as local, writes Tommy Barker

A retail development future beckons for the site of the former John Barleycorn hotel in Cork’s Glanmire.

ACTIVISTS occupying a vacant office building in Cork City are due in court this morning to fight their eviction.

THE occupation of an unfinished office building continued in Cork city over the weekend as the possible threat of eviction loomed.

ELEMENTS of the Occupy Cork movement have come in from the cold — deciding to occupy a 2,300sq m vacant city centre building using squatters’ rights.

A RESTAURANT company with five outlets and around 225 jobs has gone into liquidation, but is aiming to continue trading via its liquidator with the businesses to be offered for sale as going concerns.

THE company leading a rent revolt plans to use the money it withholds from its landlord for a massive consumer giveaway next week.

THE Government has been attacked in the Dáil and Seanad for not legislating against upward-only rent reviews following a revolt by traders in a Cork shopping centre.

RETAILERS across the country have threatened to withhold rent in an effort to force landlords into face-to-face talks about rent reductions.

THE viable regeneration of key Cork city sites is being stalled because developers can’t get credit from the banks.

WHEN the going gets tough, the really tough go ...shopping?

AMBITIOUS but scaled-down plans to redevelop Cork’s landmark Capitol Cinema site have been given the green light.

NUMBER 3 Newenham Terrace is in the same state as it was when built, in the 19th century.

Plans have been lodged today for a massive €150m development of the former Capitol Cinema on Grand Parade, Cork.

PENNEYS is expected to be announced within the next few days as the new anchor tenant of a Cork shopping centre as 172 staff of the old tenant, Roches Stores, are due to collect their redundancies.

ROCHES Stores has contacted some of the 172 staff it is making redundant in Cork to tell them their entitlements have been processed.

ELEVENTH hour negotiations will decide whether 172 retail jobs will be saved in Cork — but even if they go ahead there is little optimism that they will be successful.

INTENSELY private, Joe O’Donovan is the man behind many of Cork’s biggest land deals.

THE owner of a Cork shopping centre where 172 retail staff were made redundant has claimed a deal to secure the jobs was 95% complete as late as Friday evening.

JUST six days ago, 172 Roches Stores staff were preparing for a new chapter in their working lives with Marks and Spencer.

LAST night 172 Roches Stores staff in Cork were told they were being made redundant because the owner of a shopping centre could not agree terms with Marks & Spencer over the cost of square footage.

ROCHES STORES’ 172 retail staff at a Cork shopping centre are looking increasingly certain to lose their jobs due to a battle between the centre owner and Marks & Spencer.

THE owners of a Cork shopping centre asked Marks and Spencer to pay more than double the fixed lease rate for the centre’s anchor site just days before M&S was due to take over the plot from Roches Stores, according to M&S.

THE owner of a Cork shopping centre has given Marks & Spencer until Friday to sign a new lease to take over a former Roches Stores plot or he will withdraw from negotiations with the retailer.

Tommy Barker