Coffee chain Boxd seeks retention permission for Cork City kiosk following council warning letter

City Council spokesperson said planning permission was never sought for a drive-thru cafe on Carrigrohane Road despite Boxd operating at the site for almost six years

An enforcement point on the city council's website states the warning letter was sent in March of this year, almost five years after the case was first received.

Cork coffee chain Boxd has sought planning permission to retain its site on Carrigrohane Road after receiving a warning letter from the city council.

The kiosk and drive-thru coffee chain, located within the curtilage of Denis McKerring Prestige & 4 x 4 Ltd on Carrigrohane Road, has been operating at the site since November 2020, with the city council spokesperson confirming last month that it did not have planning permission.

"We confirm that planning was never sought for a drive-thru café on Carrigrohane Road," the spokesperson told the Irish Examiner. 

"A warning letter has been issued, but the City Council does not comment on live planning files, enforcement files and investigations."

An enforcement point on the council's website states the letter was sent in March of this year, almost five years after the case was first received.

Now, CC & H Imperial Ltd has written to Cork City Council seeking retention permission for its operations. 

The company, owned by cousins Aidan Kiely and Michael Harding, said the development to be retained consists of the change of use to a coffee shop operation and associated warehouse use. 

It would also consist of the subsequent redevelopment, including the demolition of the existing warehouse building, the construction of a replacement commercial building with a kitchen, offices and staff welfare facilities, and the relocation of the existing coffee kiosk with a new outdoor seating area with a canopy and drive-thru facility. 

Associated works include boundary treatments, landscaping, footpath upgrades and signage, with the city council due to decide on the development by August 25, 2026.

Midleton closure 

In June, Boxd closed its drive-thru kiosk in Midleton due to a "planning concern" with the council. A spokesperson for Cork County Council confirmed that it opened a planning enforcement file due to the company's unauthorised use of the site.

"Cork County Council conducted an inspection of the development for which there is no planning permission," the spokesperson added.

Following this, the council said it recommended that proceedings be initiated seeking the developer to cease its unauthorised use of the site, with the matter remaining an active enforcement case.

The company has since sought retention planning for the Midleton kiosk, with the case due to be decided by the county council by August 12. 

Boxd Coffee was first opened in November 2020 on Carrigrohane Road by Michael Harding and Aidan Kiely. The pair operate two other Boxd chains, located on Bandon Road and in Ballincollig. The cousins also founded Swoon on Oliver Plunkett Street, which also operates a kiosk in Douglas.

In 2025, CC & H Imperial Ltd recorded retained profits of almost €3m.