Caseys Furniture plans to swap city centre for Mahon as retail giant expands into former Webprint building

Plans include a large retail showroom, customer café and the relocation of the long-established Cork furniture retailer from the city centre

It is understood the Webprint building was bought by Caseys Furniture earlier this year. Picture: Des Barry.

Long-standing Cork furniture stores Caseys are eyeing a major expansion and relocation from Cork city centre, with plans to open a new premises in the former Webprint facility in Mahon Point.

The furniture giant, which has retailed in Ireland for more than 100 years, has lodged plans to convert the former printing facility spanning more than 1.4 hectares into an expansive store and showroom.

It is understood that the former Webprint facility was acquired by Casey Furniture at the beginning of 2026. 

John Casey Ltd has written to Cork City Council outlining the proposed development, and is seeking planning permission to convert and extend the premises ranging from one to five storeys, from its original use as a newspaper and magazine printer to a furniture retail unit, showroom and café. 

If approved by City Hall, the warehouse would be internally reconfigured to provide a retail showroom space across the ground and first floor of the building, bringing the net retail warehouse space to over 4,600 sq m.  

Peter Casey, MD of Caseys Furnture celebrates 100 years of Caseys Furniture. Picture: Miki Barlok

A customer cafe is also proposed for the first floor, along with additional retail showroom space provided by a ground-floor extension and a new entrance lobby on the opposite side of the building.

The proposal also includes an external balcony on the first floor to accompany the planned café. John Casey Ltd is proposing that the existing car park providing 28 car spaces is retained.

City centre relocation

Planning documents submitted to City Hall this month state that the proposed development will facilitate Casey's Furniture's relocation from its city centre store, located on Oliver Plunkett Street and Grand Parade. 

John Casey Ltd said it is "fully committed to supporting a thriving and growing city centre in Cork", adding that it would maintain its presence at the Oliver Plunkett Street and Grand Parade premises until further uses for the unit have been secured. 

In the meantime, Caseys Furniture said it has commissioned an architect and property agent to undertake a feasibility study to assess the potential reuse and redevelopment of its city centre premises. 

Webprint printing press, Mahon, Cork. Picture Denis Minihane.

The proposed store, pending approval, will operate between 10am and 6pm Monday to Saturday and from 12pm on Sunday and will employ 18 staff in total across a full standard working week. 

John Casey Ltd said the development is expected to be complete and operational in 2027, with the store anticipating turnover in the new premises of more than €11.6m by 2030.

Founded in 1921 by John Casey, Caseys Furniture operates three Irish stores, located in Cork, Limerick, and Dublin, employing around 75 people in total. 

The developer added that the former Webprint building, which ceased printing at the site in August last year, will have a more simplified architectural shape as part of the development, with plans to soften its textures and presence to provide a more "welcoming identity."

"The proposal will facilitate the sustainable reuse and regeneration of brownfield urban land and infrastructure in an established retail warehouse park setting," said Coakley O'Neill, acting on behalf of John Casey Ltd.

"The occupation of the Webprint premises will ensure the site remains in active employment use, whereas it is currently vacant and inactive."

Cork City Council is due to decide on the development by September 3, 2026.