RETAIL PLAN FOR OLD CENTRAL HOTEL IN MALLOW
AN ambitious plan to refurbish the former Central Hotel in Mallow may hit a major snag if monies owed to Cork County Council for safety works at the dilapidated building are not paid to the authority.
Mallow Capital Ltd has lodged an application with council planners to covert the ground floor of the building into a 790 square metre retail unit with an ancillary office and storage.
The plan also seeks permission for the construction of a two-storey 761 square-metre retail unit, with a ground floor office and storage, a roof level plant and associated signage.
The works will entail the demolition of existing function rooms, bars and storage areas and alterations to the front, side and rear elevations of the protected structure. Under the proposal the fire damaged upper floors of the building will be repaired and provision made for access to the upper floor “with future use yet to be determined.”
Permission is also sought to amend vehicular priorities along St James’ Avenue (east) and provide 12 car-parking spaces.
Speculation over the future of the landmark building, which has lain idle since 2007, went into overdrive after a sold sign appeared on its façade almost a year ago.
It subsequently emerged that the building, which has been up for sale with a guide price of €450,000, had been sold for a sum believed to be in the region of €300,000.
At the time Peter O’Meara of Savill’s property agent which handled the sale said it was his understanding the building would be converted for retail use.
Little is known about Dublin-based Mallow Capital Ltd, which according to solocheck. ie, was set up in September 2014, with the site listing its principal activity as the “buying and selling of own real estate.”
The site did name Derek Poppinga and Peter Leonard as company directors. Both men are also listed as being the directors of a number of other Irish companies including MM Capital, Gorey Capital Ltd and Beechville Properties Ltd.