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Office or Retail

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  • 10-08-2015 10:44pm
    #1
    Chris Dowling
    Registered Users Posts: 201 ✭✭


    Just a quick enquiry, recently looked at a few premise with a friend in relation to them starting an internet cafe and some units listed as office space ( planning permission) and others as retail. One estate agents says the office space listed is fine doesn't need a change of planning another agent on different unit says Office space does need to have planning applied to change and the 3rd said internet cafe is a restaurant not office or retail?????

    Anybody got a clear answer?


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    #2
    Paulw
    Registered Users Posts: 13,381 ✭✭✭✭Paulw


    You may get better clarification in the Business section.


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    #3
    Gloomtastic!
    Registered Users Posts: 8,484 ✭✭✭Gloomtastic!


    As long as you're not cooking anything on the premises it's definitely not a restaurant.

    The only person you should trust with planning clarification is the local council. Call their planning department and ask them. They are usually very helpful.


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    #4
    delahuntv
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,532 ✭✭✭delahuntv


    As main use would be internet, this would be classified under Office use.

    Assuming the cafe side is just tea/coffee/sandwiches, this is considered a side part and possibly would not require planning. Definitely not a "restaurant" - may need "shop" planning though.

    Only issue is internet cafes were great 10 years ago - these days you bring your tablet / phone into any cafe and link into their wifi. Hence there probably is no market for internet cafe.


    BTW - any food use whatsoever requires stringent health and safety compliance.


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    #5
    _Brian
    Registered Users Posts: 18,571 ✭✭✭✭_Brian


    I really thought all the Internet cafés were long gone bar some in city centre to cater for the very few lowest income fks who can't access a PC/laptop anywhere.
    Is this really a viable business model any more ?


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    #6
    Gloomtastic!
    Registered Users Posts: 8,484 ✭✭✭Gloomtastic!


    Last time I used out local Internet cafe was about 4 years ago to print something out. Full of Wierdos......


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    #7
    Seamus1964
    Closed Accounts Posts: 502 ✭✭✭Seamus1964


    Gloomtastic! wrote: »
    ...Full of Wierdos......

    So it was running well so it did


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    #8
    Gloomtastic!
    Registered Users Posts: 8,484 ✭✭✭Gloomtastic!


    Seamus1964 wrote: »
    So it was running well so it did

    Appeared to be.........


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    #9
    delahuntv
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,532 ✭✭✭delahuntv


    Just to the OP - do some research on the market as you may end up losing a lot of money.

    Don't belive an estate agent - they'll always tell you that you've a great idea

    Don't just ask a few mates or people you know - again they'll tell you what you want to hear and tell you they'd always use it (then they'll want it for free)

    Do check all your costs -
    Rent
    Commercial Rates
    Service charge
    Insurance incl public liability
    electricity
    cost of equipment
    proper wage
    fit out
    food wastage if doing food
    refuse collection
    cost of upgrading facitities if doing food

    I've had experience of a cafe within a premises and to even cover costs on a tight operation you will need a turnover of about €2.5 - €3k a week. And that's not easy!


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