Historic English Market Units Available to Lease as Cork City Council Invites Proposals

Two prominent stalls in Cork's English Market, once home to beloved local businesses Bresnan's Butchers and Hassett's Bakery, are now available for lease as the historic venue continues to expand its offering.

Cork City Council has appointed letting agent Behan, Irwin and Gosling inc Downing Commercial to invite lease proposals for Units 5 and 6, located on the northern side of the Grand Parade section of the market, adjacent to the Market Lane entrance.

The units benefit from excellent footfall on a main walkway between the Grand Parade and Prince's Street ends of the market. Unit 5 is dual fronted, opening onto the northern walkway, while Unit 6 has a return frontage into Market Lane. Applicants may apply for a single unit or propose combining both.

Anthony Russell, Administrative Officer, Property Department at Cork City Council, said:

"Cork City Council is very pleased to now invite lease proposals for Units 5 and 6 at Grand Parade Market. This presents a fantastic and rare opportunity to lease these two stalls, which can be offered separately or together, in the historic and bustling English Market, which dates back to 1788."

Dating back 238 years, the English Market is the oldest covered market in Ireland and the UK. It currently features over 40 stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from the highly regarded Farmgate Café to meat, fish, locally grown flowers, and clothing alterations.

Each unit benefits from three-phase power, water, and drainage. Lease terms are negotiable, and all proposals will be considered in line with the Council's English Market Vision document.

Applications must be submitted to Cearbhall Behan no later than 5pm on Wednesday, 25 February 2026. Proposals can be sent by post to Behan, Irwin & Gosling inc Downing Commercial, 40 South Mall, Cork, T12 V8VX, or by email to cbehan@bigproperty.ie. Telephone queries can be made on (021) 427 0007.