Cork Starbucks told to perk up and follow planning laws

AN Bord Pleanála has ruled that three Starbucks outlets that set up in Cork city centre over the past year do not have adequate planning permission.

Complaints were made to the City Council after the cafés were opened in Patrick Street, Emmet Place and Princes Street.

No planning permission was sought for any of the stores but the council started talks with the chain.

It is understood that the chain had argued that planning permission was not needed. However, An Bord Pleanála has ruled that it was.

In July of last year, concern was expressed about the opening of the Starbucks at the historic Queen Anne House at the corner of Emmet Place/ Opera Lane in the city centre.

Queen Anne House has been used in recent years as a retail store with the façade protected.

Following its redevelopment as a cafe serving drinks and food, a complaint was made to the council that the outlet did not meet the necessary planning requirements.

Planners in City Hall inspected the complaint and issued a warning letter to Starbucks telling them their new store represented an unauthorised change of use.

Meanwhile, Starbucks’ Princes Street café, which opened early last year, has been served with an official enforcement notice which compels it to rectify planning issues.

The café on Patrick Street was also served with an enforcement notice.

The Starbucks head office in the UK was contacted about the planning permission issues in Cork, but no response was forthcoming.