FIVE SCREEN CINEMA AND DUNNES FOR FERMOY?
Another major retail development has been announced for Fermoy, to be situated next to the Lidl store on the Courthouse Road. This latest move seems to very much replicate the Shipton development and Dunnes Stores is tipped to become the anchor tenant there.
The development, to be undertaken by Ballyjamesduff Properties Limited, is to incorporate a gross floor area of 21,229 square metres, the main features of which will be a 5-screen multiplex cinema along with a gym and a children’s play area. The development will boast a main anchor store for which Dunnes Stores has shown an interest.
A secondary anchor store is planned for the upper ground floor level. 24 retail/commercial units will also be located on the same level. These units will be made up of shops, cafes, restaurants, financial services and other non-retail services.
There is a general positive feeling about the breaking news of the development as it shows ‘strong economic confidence in the town of Fermoy’, according to Cllr Tadhg O’Donovan.
The Labour Party councillor urges caution however, as for the application to be successful, various infrastructural demands will have to be met, which will represent ‘challenges for both the local council and the developer’.
As both the Shipton development and the new proposal are much of the same, the general view is that both developments would not be viable.
Fermoy’s Business Association chairman, Donal O Lochlainn, anticipates one or the other or maybe ‘a combined development’. He hopes for a ‘meeting of minds’ that would result in a successful outcome for the town.
“The important thing is that people want to invest in Fermoy. It’s great to see the interest, but things still need to be ironed out,” says Sinn Fein Councillor, Seamus Coleman.
Cllr Peter Merrigan poses the question: “Is there a big enough catchment area for both developments to be viable.”
Published:
Thursday 15th May 6:20pm
