28 October 2017
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Cork’s English Market is accepting applications for the long-term lease of two units in the market. The rare availability of such units will give new vendors the opportunity to be part of one of the most famous markets in the world and help breathe a breath of fresh air into the already charismatic market.
The renowned English Market is giving local and national food-based businesses the chance to trade in Ireland’s oldest and best food market. The announcement by The English Market and Cork City Council today asks all interested parties to submit their written proposals for the future use of the stalls (including type of use and their trading history) by noon on Wednesday, 22nd November, 2017.
The two units available are stalls 1 & 2 at the Princes Street entrance of The English Market and are available for let for one year initially, with the view of a further year. The units are available individually or as a combined unit, and are for the sale of fresh produce only. Interested parties will need to demonstrate a proven history in the sale of fresh produce. The units are not available for hot food vendors, cafes or delis. For further information on these units please go to ww.englishmarket.ie/newsevents
Speaking about the opportunity, Órla Lannin, Manager of The English Market, stated “The English Market is known for its traditional food offering and family businesses being passed down from generation to generation, however the success of the market also depends on the introduction of new and innovative food products. This opportunity is great for The English Market as well as the traders who take up residency in the available units, as it will allow us to introduce something new into the market and attract new customers. These stalls historically have done very well in the market due to their location, so I have no doubt whoever trades in there will have great success.”
The letting to the preferred proposal(s) will be subject to Chief Executive and Cork City Council approval, and will have to fit in with the ethos and reputation of The English Market. Any new stalls must compliment the current offering of the market and add to its offering to customers and visitors.
Proposals will need to indicate which stall they are interested in or if it is the two combined and must also include Financial Capacity, Quality of the proposed use, Deliverability and Proof of trading history.
There is already significant interest from local food producers in the available units, with a flurry of applications expected over the next few weeks.
All proposals must be submitted to the office of Crowley Property, No. 2 The Maples, Pembroke Wood, Passage West, Cork; or by email to crowleyjamesj@hotmail.com no later than 12 noon on Wednesday, 22nd November, 2017.
Facts & Figures
The 2017 Annual figures for the stalls are as follows:
Stall 1 Princes Street Market
Rates: €1,380.40
Service Charges: €3,708.42
Rent: €2,125.89
Stall 2 Princes Street Market
Rates: €1,380.40
Service Charges: €3,708.42
Rent: €2,168.39
The English Market trading since 1788, is the oldest covered food market in Ireland and has been trading for nearly 230 years. The English Market is renowned as a food market and an important part of food culture in Cork, with an emphasis on fresh, local, produce as well as traditional Cork foods, as well as providing an array of international produce.
The stallholders are local and independent food producers or retailers, often with generations of families working in the Market. The traditional serve-over-counter stall trading also ensures that the service to the customer is personal and unique. The English Market is essentially about Product, People and Place – as a source of a broad range of fresh, quality produce, the personal service which comes with owner-occupier stalls and the market stall experience, as well as the place itself, which has architectural character, colour, vibrancy and atmosphere which cannot be replicated.
