Starbucks in historical Cork building causes concern

The opening of a Starbucks cafe at the historic Queen Anne House at the corner of Emmett Place/Opera Lane in Cork city centre has worried councillors.

Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy said that the premises dates back to 1730 and is an important piece of heritage in the city.

"I am disappointed. The company hasn't consulted with Cork City Council. I agree with the point that much of the interior has already changed. But we have to make sure that these buildings don't fall in to disarray. It is an important piece of our heritage."

Cllr Laura McGonigle told the PJ Coogan show on Cork’s 96FM that Starbucks seem to have gone ahead with the opening of a premises without any planning permission.

“They knew at Christmas that they needed to apply for planning permission if they wanted to move in to the Queen Anne building but they seem to have gone ahead and done that without seeking any planning application or talking to any official in City Hall. It’s a protected structure.

“The windows are very special there. The internal parts have already been modernised (in its previous use as a jeans shop) but the external features have to be protected.”

Starbucks previously attracted controversy in Cork in March when their first café in Cork city centre at Princes Street was found not to have planning permission.

The location previously operated as a fashion store and before that as a retail outlet for Enable Ireland.

Following its redevelopment as a café serving drinks and food, a complaint was made to Cork City Council that the outlet does 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. Cllr McGonigle said the matter was still ongoing.

In a statement the company behind the Opera Lane shops said they could confirm that a new tenant has been secured for the property at Queen Anne House and that work was being carried out on the fitout.

“The tenant, Starbucks, has been made fully aware by O’Callaghan Properties of the restrictions placed on this building and has been advised of the special considerations that must be adhered to during a fitout. Under the terms of the legal agreements Starbucks are obliged to comply with all the statutory and legal requirements.”

Starbucks Head Office in the UK was contacted about the opening of the new Cork store but no response was forthcoming.

Queen Anne House has been used in recent years as a retail store with the facade protected. Its best known tenant was Richard Sainthill, a wine merchant, antiquarian, coin-collector, and the Commons Speaker of Cork Corporation.

He lived in the house in the nineteenth century when Emmet Place was called Nelson Place. Sainthill, whose wine business was later taken over by Woodford Bourne & Co, was born in Topsham, Devon in 1787.

In 1801, he came to Cork to join his father, also called Richard Sainthill. His father was the “agent for transports afloat in Cork” and was responsible for arranging shipment for those sentenced to transportation to New South Wales.