Starbucks ordered to stop work on new cafe

Starbucks has been ordered to cease work on its new store at Patrick Street in Cork, with the company receiving its third enforcement file from the city council this year following planning irregularities at two other cafes.

Work had been taking place to renovate the former mobile phone store at 11 Patrick Street. However, Cork City Council contacted the company and asked it to halt work as it requires a planning application for a change of use from a retail outlet to a cafe.

This is the third time Starbucks has attracted negative attention from the local authority in recent months.

In July concern was expressed about the opening of a Starbucks cafe at the historic Queen Anne House at the corner of Emmet Place/Opera Lane in Cork city centre. The location previously operated as a fashion store and before that as a retail outlet for Enable Ireland.

Following its redevelopment as a cafe serving drinks and food, a complaint was made to the council that the outlet does not meet the necessary planning requirements. Planners in City Hall issued a warning letter to Starbucks telling it its new store represented an unauthorised change of use.

Meanwhile, its Princes Street store which opened five months ago has been served with an official enforcement notice which compels it to rectify planning issues.

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