Starbucks breaches planning law in Cork city centre

Multinational coffee retailer Starbucks opened three stores in Cork city centre without obtaining the necessary planning permission, An Bord Pleanála has ruled.

The planning authority has judged that the coffee chain’s branches on St Patrick’s Street, Princess Street and Emmet Place were all opened in commercial units that were formerly retail shops, and that the company should have applied for planning permission to change the use of the stores prior to opening its coffee restaurants.

The decision comes nearly six months after a planning dispute between Cork City Council and Starbucks was referred to An Bord Pleanála for consideration last October.