More stores – and a lovely new look
15:00, 18 Sep 2026Updated 15:06, 18 Sep 2026
John Hartnett, Centre Manager, Blackpool; Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Damian Boylan; Stephen Green, Patron Capital; Roger Dineen, Lugus Capital with EU Commissioner, Michael McGrath pictured at the official relaunch of Blackpool Shopping Centre(Image: Alison Miles / OSM PHOTO)
The major revamp project for a busy Cork city shopping centre is finally finished – and if you haven’t been there in a while, there is loads of new stuff to check out.
The €2.5 million refurbishment of Blackpool Shopping Centre, home to over 60 businesses supporting almost 2,000 jobs, forms part of a long-term plan to attract new retailers and customers. The project marks a “significant new chapter” for the location as big developments are underway for the Northside – including a new train station to be built right next to the popular retail hub.
As the ambitious upgrade comes to a close, customers can now enjoy a wide range of new additions at the bustling shopping centre and retail park. This includes recently added stores from Danish home-furnishings brand JYSK, Eason, Kerry Hanaphy, The Pantry & Box’d coffee.
But even if you’re just passing through, there is still plenty in the “comprehensive” upgrade of the building’s centre. Scores of workers have spent many hours adding new flooring, improved lighting, signage, and other smaller finishing touches to make the whole layout look a little nicer.
The big upgrade was funded by partners Patron Capital and Lugus Capital, and aimed to build on the centre’s “established strengths” – such as accessibility, loyal customer base, retail mix and community. European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath welcomed the major boost for the retail space at its recent “re-launch”, saying: “This investment is a very positive statement of confidence in Blackpool, in Cork’s northside and in the future of established retail centres that play such an important role in the communities they serve.
Roger Dineen, Lugus Capital; EU Commissioner, Michael McGrath and John Hartnett, Centre Manager, Blackpool pictured at the official relaunch of Blackpool Shopping Centre following the completion of a major multimillion-euro refurbishment(Image: Alison Miles / OSM PHOTO)
“For more than 25 years, Blackpool Shopping Centre has been part of the fabric of life in Cork, serving generations of families and providing an important hub for local employment and enterprise. Investment on this scale will help ensure that the Centre continues to play that role into the future – supporting jobs, creating opportunities for retailers and businesses, and providing a high-quality environment for the thousands of people who visit and use the Centre every week.”
In other big news in the area, plans were recently approved for a new train station on the Northside as part of a wider scheme to have Cork train services every 10 minutes.
The facility will be located on the site of the former goods station in Kilbarry, above Blackpool Shopping Centre, and will include a park and ride facility with 83 spaces, a pedestrian overbridge and a set down area for buses and taxis.
Construction might not have started yet – but this is still a clear sign of progress in one of the biggest Cork railway expansions since the Victorian era. The Blackpool facility is one of eight planned stations for the major Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, including another at Dunkettle.