Traders attack choice of coffee pod locations

TRADERS launched a blistering attack on city bosses yesterday for plonking two coffee pods in the middle of a sweeping new boulevard.

Several traders on Cork’s Grand Parade and in the historic English Market questioned the locations of the two structures.

One is directly outside the stunning gates to Bishop Lucey Park — the other will be built outside the historic facade of the city library.

Monica O’Mahony of La Galerie, which faces directly onto the new Grand Parade, said she does not object to the coffee docks.

But the location on the one outside the park is absolutely ridiculous, she said.

“They only had to go 10 yards further up. And they say it’s a glass structure and will not hide the park gates. But what about the equipment and people in there. People are incensed about it.”

Katherine O’Mahony, of O’Mahony’s Family Butcher, is a member of the English Market Traders’ Association.

Her shop window looks out of the street and she described the pod outside the park as “an abomination”.

“The whole view is obstructed,” she said.

“Do they do things without looking at them? It’s like somebody putting a plastic chair in with good furniture.

“Think of the beautiful park gates. Someone saw the value and the beauty in them and found the right position for them. It was so well done, but this is so badly thought out. People are quite shocked that nobody can see the park gates anymore,” said Ms O’Mahony.

Her fellow market trader, Mary Rose Daly, who runs the Coffee Stop, also criticised the location.

“I do not object to the pods. I’m not worried about the competition. But the location is just ridiculous.”