Albert Quay Starbucks to become office space after 'exceptionally low footfall'

Cork City Council approved planning for the development, which will now see the ground-floor site of the Starbucks Coffee converted into additional office space.

In a letter to the Council, the Starbucks operator said that since opening the unit, trade levels have been "consistently lower than anticipated, due to exceptionally low footfall that this area receives."

It added that to date, the café has been kept open with assistance from the landlord and that given the circumstances, the Starbucks operator fully supported the landlord's efforts to apply for a planning change of use.

Also writing to the council, estate agents Savills noted the low footfall in the area, which was the "primary issue" facing the café, adding that although the building office occupiers provide regular trade for the café operator, it is "not enough to sustain the business in this location."

"Furthermore, the trade from the building occupiers is inconsistent as modern offices now provide for coffee dock stations and canteen facilities."

Savills also noted the building's proximity to the Elysian which comprises more than 200 apartments, adding that with a supermarket and café onsite, residential tenants are already "well catered for."

"Since moving into the unit, the current tenant's business has struggled to achieve consistent trade, despite the best efforts of the tenant to adapt to the changing market. The café has only been able to remain operational due to the landlord's financial support."

Savills added that the potential to convert this unit to an office is one that would be "received positively" in the marketplace, given its size of less than 300 sq m, which according to the agent, is "extremely limited".

It noted that out of 23 letting deals signed in 2024, around 60% were for space of less than 300 sq m, which it said signals a "clear demand for this size of unit in the market."

Starbucks first opened in One Albert Quay in 2016, following the rapid expansion of the Seattle-based company into Cork. The popular café franchise currently has two other locations in the city centre, one on Princes Street and Opera Lane, with additional premises in Mahon and Douglas.