Developer warns against ‘public spat’ over rival event centres

The developer behind one of two multi-million event centres proposed for Cork City has warned against a “public spat” after several prominent business owners united to support his rival.

Owen O’Callaghan, who has planning permission for a 6,000-capacity conference and events centre on Albert Quay, said the move by the Support Brewery Quarter lobby group will do nothing to help the selection process. He said he has also briefed business interests on his project and has been very heartened by the response.

“People are very positive about the location, the visual impact it will have on the city, the quality and flexibility of the design and the fact that logistically, it can work much better than the alternative,” he said.