Councillors’ concerns at new Starbucks location in Cork

Concern has been expressed about the opening of a Starbucks cafe at the historic Queen Anne House at the corner of Emmett Place/Opera Lane in Cork city centre.

Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy said the premises dates back to 1730 and is an important piece of heritage in the city.

“I am disappointed. The company hasn’t consulted with Cork City Council. I agree with the point that much of the interior has already changed,” he said.

“But we have to make sure these buildings don’t fall in to disarray. It is an important piece of our heritage.”

Fine Gael councillor Laura McGonigle told the PJ Coogan show on Cork’s 96FM that Starbucks seem to have gone ahead with the opening of a premises without any planning permission. “They knew at Christmas that they needed to apply for planning permission if they wanted to move in to the Queen Anne building but they seem to have gone ahead and done that without seeking any planning application or talking to any official in City Hall,” she said.

“It’s a protected structure. The windows are very special there. The internal parts have already been modernised (in its previous use as a jeans shop) but the external features have to be protected,” she said.

Starbucks previously attracted controversy in Cork in March when its first cafe in Cork city centre at Princes Street was found not to have planning permission.

The location previously operated as a fashion store and before that as a retail outlet for Enable Ireland. Following its redevelopment as a cafe serving drinks and food, a complaint was made to Cork City Council that the outlet did not meet the necessary planning requirements. Planners in City Hall inspected the complaint and issued a warning letter to Starbucks telling it its new outlet represented an unauthorised change of use. Ms McGonigle said the matter was still ongoing.

In a statement, the company behind the Opera Lane shops said it could confirm a new tenant has been secured for the property at Queen Anne House and that work was being carried out on the fitout.

“The tenant, Starbucks, has been made fully aware by O’Callaghan Properties of the restrictions placed on this building and has been advised of the special considerations that must be adhered to during a fit-out,” it said.

Starbucks head office in the UK was contacted about the opening of the new Cork outlet but no response was forthcoming.