This follows concerns raised by two councillors about the growing dominance of larger chain coffee shops in securing lease agreements.
Dublin City Council owns and manages a variety of coffee cabins and café spaces across the city’s parks and sports grounds, offering them for lease to interested businesses.
At the monthly council meeting this week, it was unanimously agreed that a three-year licence would be awarded to the Tram Café Limited at Johnstown Park, Dublin 11.
Sinn Féin councillor Anthony Connaghan highlighted that the site had been “vacant for years” and that several queries had been made about the location.
“What stood out in the last council is that smaller contractors could apply for contracts in city park’s and sports grounds,” he said.
“A lot of contracts that are going to tender are going to bigger, more established groups, and it’s harder for a small local coffee shop to compete with those larger chains.”
He asked council management if there would be a possibility for the council to issue an “expression of interest” for smaller contractors to provide coffee units and a toilet facility in council parks with strong footfall, such as Tolka Park and Kildonan Park.
Independent councillor Vincent Jackson seconded the comments and said the council should support opportunities to “assist young people and community groups”.
In response, Anthony Flynn, Assistant Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, said the council had previously advertised for local businesses with “limited success”. However, he has no issue with revisiting the idea.
“We have no issue with promoting local enterprise where appropriate,” Mr Flynn added.
He said awarding contracts to independent businesses aligns with the council’s broader policies on supporting local development and employment.
“We’re open to exploring this again,” he added.
To lease a site, independent businesses or larger chains must first respond to an expression of interest or public advertisement from the council, outlining their plans.
Those with a successful track record and the necessary qualifications for their staff are typically given priority for the lease.
Businesses are charged a nominal rent, which often covers essential services such as cleaning public restrooms and maintaining the property.
Elected councillors then review and approve the lease, with the option to extend it in the future.
