Caffe Nero encouraged customers to sign their petition more than once planning inspector told

Caffe Nero was claimed at Tuesday’s public inquiry to have encouraged its customers to sign a petition in support of its retrospective planning appeal more than once.

Planning inspector Phil Grainger was told this by town councillor Stewart Dobson, who presented a letter of protest written by Mr and Mrs Michael Skinner, who live in one of the three top floor flats at the High Street property.

And they declared too that allowing the second floor of the premises, formerly a storage area, to be opened for public use would devalue their home and create problems for any possible future sale.

“We understand that Caffe Nero has been encouraging customers to sign a petition in support,” said the protest Councillor Dobson read out. “It seems that customers have been allowed to sign more than once.”

“We therefore hope that were you inclined to consider this petition that the fact that customers were allowed to sign more than once that this will be taken into consideration.”

“The opening of Caffe Nero has resulted in great stress to both myself and my wife and we do hope that our comments will be taken into account and the appeal refused.”

The letter stated that Mr and Mrs Skinner, together with Mrs Ruth Pitts, who owns the two other flats, had strong objections to Caffe Nero’s change of use of the property to allow for a takeaway service.

“Little has been said about the change of use on the three flats,” the letter added. “When we purchased our flat in 2004 we were given to understand that the premises were A1 retail and that there was no reason to suspect that this would change.”

“Until recently when Caffe Nero opened and finally submitted their retrospective application we had not realised the full implications what a change of use would mean to us.”

“We are have been given to understand that were A3 use (takeaway) to be agreed in the event of trying to sell our property it would be devalued as a result of higher insurance premiums and the reluctance of some mortgage companies to fund the purchase of property above an A3 outlet.”

“This would certainly present a problem for any first time buyers.”

The letter pointed out that Marlborough town council hasd always encouraged residential use of all High Street property above ground floor level on the grounds that it resulted in a healthy, vibrant mix of business and residential usage.

“This is a welcome feature of all historical market towns such as Marlborough,” said the letter.

The claims in the letter were not challenged by Caffe Nero’s legal representatives at the inquiry, which has been adjourned until February 7.

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Quotes from the Inquiry

“Wiltshire Council recognises that money spent in independent retailers helps to keep the local economy buoyant and maintains thriving town centres,” said Marlborough town councillor and Transition Marlborough supporter Richard Pitts.

“As evidence of this, a study by the New Economics Foundation shows 25 per cent spent at independent retailer stays local, versus only 14 per cent spent in national chain.

“Our local businesses are predicated on Marlborough’s unique High Street, which further attracts visitors and so ensures the town is kept vibrant.

“I don’t not believe the corporate companies do this in Marlborough, they rarely get involved with the local Chamber of Commerce and put their hands in their pockets to fund things like the Christmas lights to promote the town.

“Given their attitude thus far, I can’t see Caffe Nero contributing to the viability and vitality in this way either.”

Councillor Margaret Rose, chairman of Marlborough town council’s Planning Committee: “This appeal, if allowed, will be in conflict with the national guidance and local policies that seek the safeguard and underpin the well-being of town centres.

“Allowing it would amount to opening up the floodgates to the likes of Caffe Nero to ride into any town and flaunt convention and planning regulations by just setting up shop and throwing down the gauntlet to the planning authorities.”

Calling for the appeal to be thwarted, she added: “Marlborough does not need to rely on Caffe Nero for its footfall. In fact it is the reverse. Caffe Nero hoovers up the trade because of its chosen position and this denies trade to the smaller cafes and independent businesses of the High Street, which consequently suffer.

“ It’s chain retailers such as Caffe Nero push out independents.”

Liz Rolph, a Marlborough High Street resident, told the inquiry: “Having this café in that position means that people are not moving past that point as much as they did when it was a clothes retailer. So it would be good to see it return to that type of use.

“I have noticed that the other end is given less footfall in many of the individual retailers. I don’t have any scientific evidence of this but, nevertheless, it is now noticeable.

“Having another chain store does take away from our High Street its attractiveness and uniqueness to visitors. So all the businesses do suffer as a consequence.

“Marlborough town council does have the support of many of the residents in this. So I hope the council will be able to keep out High Street attractive for as long as possible.”

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