Six shop sales on the move in Cork city centre - and  Ronnie Moore's office supplies won't stay  stationery either

However, while the sales of the last five premises were primarily due to retirement, No 28 Marlboro Street is being sold as the 1978-founded business selling retail stationery, supplies, office furniture and home office items and in its second generation of family ownership is concentrating its activities at its second, far larger premises and fleet of delivery vans at suburban Vicars Road.

Still carrying the name of its founder, the well-know Ronnie Moore, it says it’s the largest Irish and independently-owned business in the sector in Munster.

The arrival of No 28 via agent Rob Coughlan of Cohalan Downing come on the back of five other premises sales he’s had, many with as well-known previous operators.

Included are the former John O’Flynn & Sons Butchers at 36 Marlboro Street on the other side of Oliver Plunkett Street, with the family business run by brothers Patrick and Simon moving there 40 years ago after a fire in the English Market.

The premises, which made around its guide price of €450,000 had previously been a bookshop, Fallons, and is now due to be a chocolatiers, with an advanced fit-out under way.

Sold too was Kelleher’s Newsagents, at 55 North Main Street, due to the retirement of owners Aiden and Ann Kelleher, bought by an investor for close to its €450,000 AMV.

Also long-established, Kilgrews Cycles at 6/7 Kyle Street, sold to an investor for a price in the mid €300,000s, at 6/7 Kyle Street, set between North Main Street and the Coal Quay, by new student accommodation and the former Dunnes/North Main Street Shopping Centre, likely to face redevelopment.

Nearby, Dekor-8, at 18 North Main Street, also was acquired by an investor for c €450,000 (in late 2021) and has since subsequently been refurbished for residential use.

Also in the mix highlighted by agent Rob Coughlan was the sale of the long-held and much-cherished Uneeda Bookshop at 71 Oliver Plunkett Street. It was was put for sale with a €350,000 AMV for owner John Coffey, retiring aged 90 after 50 years selling on the street at several locations.

Cohalan Downing guide the three-storey 28 Marlboro Street at €330,000, noting it has profile next to Clancys Bar, facing the side of AIB’s Munster HQ at 66 South Mall as well as Houstons office supplies at l0 Marlboro Street (in business since 1921, and now in a third generation of family hands), mid-way between the Mall and Oliver Plunkett Street.

No 28 also faces the elegant brick façade of the 1890s-founded YMCA at 11/12 Marlboro Street. The building (not a protected facade/structure) has 18’ street frontage and over 1,000 sq ft at ground level, and a further 1,900 sq ft on the next two overhead levels.

 “This was somewhat surplus to requirements for the vacating occupier Ronnie Moores, and presents scope and opportunity to refurbish, remodel and renew this under-utilised space. The upper floors may also have residential potential,” says Mr Coughlan, adding “it’s a renowned property of almost 3,000 sq ft and is a revered part of Cork city’s retail history.”

DETAILS: Cohalan Downing 021-4277717 www.cohalandowning.ie