Caffe Nero planning appeal to be heard in January

A planning inspector will decide whether the doors of Caffe Nero can stay open at a hearing in January. 

Caffe Nero’s appeal against the refusal of planning permission for its Marlborough High Street coffee shop will be held in the town on Tuesday, January 15.

A planning inspector will hear evidence from the planning authority and representatives of Nero Holdings Ltd at Marlborough Town Hall from 10am.

Protestors and supporters are being advised that they may only take part in the discussion at the discretion of the inspector.

The chain caused anger in April when it moved into the former Dash clothing store and opened without planning permission for change of use.

Members of the town council, the Chamber of Commerce and independent traders were among those condemning the move, although the outlet has proved popular with customers.

At a meeting in July, elected councillors had been advised by Wiltshire Council planning officers to accept an application for change of use. Instead, they turned it down.

The council subsequently issued an enforcement notice against the chain, ordering it to stop trading – an order which became void as soon as the company appealed against the decision. There was no disruption to trade.

Caffe Nero has won 16 of its 17 recent planning appeals up and down the country; a fact the company was happy to bring to the attention of councillors at the July planning meeting.