Fermoy arcade shelved in favour of retail outlet
THE plan by Perks to open an amusement arcade at a unit in the Blackwater Shopping Centre in Fermoy has been shelved, with Iceland set to incorporate the unit into their planned new store in the town.
Cork County Council planners had granted an application by the Youghal-based entertainment company to change the use of Unit 1 at the park from retail to an amusement arcade.
Although the decision was subsequently referred to An Bord Pleanala, the appeals board upheld the council’s decision, much to the disappointment of concerned locals who had objected to the development.
However, in granting permission the board did stipulate nine separate conditions, including that the arcade opening hours be limited to between 10am and 8pm daily. Other conditions also dealt with noise levels, car parking and waste management.
While The Corkman was unable to speak to a representative from Perks by the time of going to press, it is understood that the restrictions placed on opening hours proved to be a major consideration in the company’s decision not to proceed with the arcade.
It has now emerged that a planning application has been lodged with the council seeking to revert the designation of unit 1 back to retail use, as per a previous application that had been granted by planners back in 2007.
The new application, lodged in the joint names of Tommy Kelly and Barry McCourt, makes provision for the amalgamation of units 1,2 and three at the shopping centre into a single retail unit with associated site works.
In April of this year frozen food retailer Iceland announced that was set to open a new store in Fermoy, revealing that it would be situated at units 1 – 3 in the Blackwater Shopping Centre.
While no opening date has been set for the new store, it is understood that the retail outlet will employ up to 35 staff.
Cllr Noel McCarthy, who was among those to lodge objections to the arcade development, said he and other local residents were delighted at the development.
“We were always very clear about the fact that we were never against businesses going into the shopping centre. Our concerns were about the type of development going in there,” said Cllr McCarthy.
“Local residents felt strongly that a gaming and gambling premises was not the kind of business they wanted on their doorstep for a variety of reasons. Chief among these being that it could bring an unacceptable level of anti-social behaviour to the area,” he added.
Cllr McCarthy also welcomed the lodging of the new planning application for the centre.
“The site was developed as a shopping centre and I am pleased to see that it will be used as such. The jobs the new Iceland store will create will be most welcome,” he said.