Coveney welcome plans for €50m development on Cork’s Grand Parade

A new €50 million retail, office and food innovation centre creating some 450 jobs in the heart of Cork city has centre is being hailed as providing a major boost to the local economy.

Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney welcomed the announcement by Cork developer John Cleary that he has applied for planning permission for the project on the Grand Parade.

Mr Coveney said the project on the site of the former Capitol Cinema will help rejuvenate the western side of Cork city centre and complement the nearby English Market.

John Cleary Developments yesterday lodged a planning application with Cork City Council to develop a five-storey retail, office and food innovation centre on the 0.65 acre site.

The complex, designed by Cork architects Wilson Architecture, will include 48,500 sq ft of retail space over three floors and 37,000 sq ft of office space on top levels.

A JCD spokesman said that the company has already received inquiries from a number of major retailers and was hugely encouraged by the interest being shown in the project.