Permission sought for Mitchelstown arcade
IT has emerged the company behind a plan to develop a gaming amusement arcade in Fermoy is also seeking to develop a similar facility in the centre of Mitchelstown.
This after a planning application was lodged in the name of Perks Amusement Mitchelstown Ltd for the arcade at the vacant former Weaver’s Bar on Lower Cork Street.
The application, which was formally lodged with council planners at the tail end of last year, makes provision for the “change of use of a public house to amusement arcade” with associated signage and alterations to the front facade of the protected structure.
The company, which operates amusement arcades in Youghal and Midleton, had previously been granted permission for a new facility at the Blackwater Shopping Centre in Fermoy. However, they decided not to progress the plan after An Bord Pleanála placed restrictions on its opening hours.
A subsequent plan to develop an arcade at another site in Fermoy was again met with fierce local opposition and was subsequently shot down by council planners.
At the time Perks spokesman Philip Tivy told the Corkman that it was “unlikely” they would appeal the decision, with Mr Tivy saying they had plans for other towns and would be “better served” following those up.
However, it emerged last week that they have now lodged an appeal with an Bord Pleanála.
Speaking to The Corkman this week Mr Tivy said the proposed facility in Mitchelstown would be similar to the one planned for Fermoy.
“It will be a gaming arcade with a strictly enforced admission policy,” he said.
While news of the proposal only broke within the past couple of days it has already prompted much discussion, notably on social media with one local businessman coming down firmly against the plan.
Martin Lane of Watersave situated on New Square, wrote on Facebook that he hoped local county councillors would oppose it “just like they opposed the opening of an amusement arcade in Fermoy.”
He wrote that it would be of “no benefit to the youth of Mitchelstown” and would “increase the promotion of gambling in the area”.
He told the Corkman that he has spoken to many people about the proposal and the overall reaction was one of “horror”.
“I would like to see a public meeting take place, similar to what happened did in Fermoy, to allow people to air their opinions. I would hope this would help to organise the local community to stand against this plan,” he said.
“We already have three bookmakers in the town. If this were to go ahead it would, going on census figures, mean we would have a gambling house for every 690 local people over the age of 18. We do not need this. Also there is the issue of parking to be taken into consideration.”
Victoria O’Brien, a youth worker with CDYS based in Mitchelstown, summed up sentiments expressed by many other people who spoke to The Corkman on the issue
“Of course, this is a new application and I would have to see the full plans before making a definitive comment on the proposal,” she said.
“However, my initial feeling would be that of caution. I can say that I would not be condoning an arcade in Mitchelstown, as I do not see how it would be of benefit to the town and particularly young local people.”
To view the planning application follow the links to the planning section at www.corkcoco.ie.