Criticism over 'worrying trend' of vape and phone shops in Cork city centre
Concerns are rising in Cork over the increasing number of vape and phone shops, with campaigners questioning their impact on the city centre.Summary
Campaigners from Derelict Ireland have criticized the proliferation of vape and phone shops in Cork city centre, noting there are 35 such stores within a 1km radius. They argue this trend is concerning, especially given societal health concerns regarding vaping and potential conflicts with council policies on shop-front aesthetics. Cork City Council acknowledges the issue but states current planning legislation doesn't allow them to differentiate between these stores and other retail outlets. A recent motion proposed increasing the number of local and sustainable businesses on Patrick Street, while councillors have also expressed concerns about the appearance of vape shop fronts. The council is exploring options like architectural conservation areas to potentially restrict vape shops, but aims to avoid overly restrictive policies that could hinder the revitalization of vacant commercial units.
(Source：Irish Examiner)
