Krispy Kreme's Cork city centre outlet in doubt after appeal dropped
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The future of Krispy Kreme's Cork City outlet is now in doubt after the doughnut chain dropped its appeal over the council’s refusal for planning permission for its St Patrick’s Street store.
In February, the American chain had lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála after it had failed in its initial bid for retention permission for change of use from previous retail use to a cafe, as well as the retention of shopfront and signage at its branch on 42 St Patrick’s Street.
It had first opened its branch in Cork city centre to great fanfare in April 2023, as it plotted further expansion around the country.
It took out a 10-year lease on the ground floor of Porter’s newsagents, which closed in October 2022. However, a council inspector examined the latest planning and said the proposed use by Krispy Kreme would be contrary to the Cork City development plan.
The inspector said the existing signage on Krispy Kreme’s shopfront would have a “visual adverse effect on the architectural conservation area”.
Krispy Kreme lodged an appeal against this decision from City Hall earlier this year, saying its business on the street was a retail outlet, no different than the business that preceded it at the same premises.
Restrictions on businesses on the street relate to hot food takeaway and restaurant uses, which Krispy Kreme says was not applicable in this case.
It also rejected concerns about its visual impact, claiming the shop front had undergone minimal change when compared to what was there previously.
However, despite this, Krispy Kreme withdrew its appeal last week, leaving its path forward in Cork city centre unclear.
Accounts published last year showed Krispy Kreme’s revenues in Ireland had topped €10m for the first time.
The doughnut maker has a plethora of retail locations in Dublin, which includes the Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre in north Dublin, Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, The Square Shopping Centre, Dundrum Town Centre and One Central Plaza, Dame Street, which opened in August 2022.
The business has steadily expanded following the opening of its popular branch in Blanchardstown in September 2018.
Krispy Kreme said it had no comment to make.
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