Cork will retain its position as the primary retail destination in Ireland outside of Dublin if proposals in the new joint city and county retail strategy are put into place.

The draft strategy will be published for public consultation in the near future and if adopted will see more than 100,000 additional square meters of retail space in the city and suburbs, more than 90,000 square meters of retail warehousing and more than 100,000 square meters of retail space in the county developed by 2020.

The draft proposal was discussed by city councillors at a meeting this week at City Hall where City Manager Joe Gavin pointed out that in the next three years the retail space available in the city is already due to increase by 600,000 sq ft (55,740 sq M) in the next three years with major development s such as Cornmarket Street, Academy Street and Grand Parade due to be completed.

The retail strategy identifies various towns in county Cork as well as Cork city and suburbs under separate strategies. The strategy as stated for the city is to develop large area shops to attract major retailers into the city centre while the retail offering on the Docklands will be aimed at serving local residential needs.

The shopping centres at Wilton, Douglas and Blackpool are earmarked to expand as major mixed-use district centres, while Mahon Point will not see significant expansion. The plan also seeks to support small-scale local centres such as Bishopstown, Ballyvolane and Hollyhill as well as protecting local convenience shops.

Among the towns in the county, Mallow is earmarked to expand to reflect its hub-town status with large units to attract "premium retailers" and "should be developed as one of the largest towns in the county".

In West Cork, Clonakilty is identified as the principal retail centre for that part of the county and the plan advises that it should be expanded accordingly.

The strategy was broadly welcomed by councillors at City Hall with many pointing out that adequate public transport would be essential for the city to develop further. Cllr John Buttimer from Bishopstown stated that there was effectively "no public transport" in Cork at the moment, sentiments that were widely agreed with.

Máirín Quill advocated a shuttle bus service to bring in shoppers from outlying hotels while Dara Murphy said that a delivery service for bulky goods bought in the city should be looked at.

Tom O'Driscoll called for more casual trading especially at night, as is seen in many European cities while Dino Cregan said that roofing part of Oliver Plunkett Street or Princes Street should be considered.

The City Manager said that the Council had commissioned a comprehensive transport study, the findings of which would be available in the autumn and future transport strategy would be based on that.

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