All the cafes, pubs and outlets providing beverages in Marlborough are to be asked to complete a questionnaire on how their business has been affected since the arrival of Caffe Nero five months ago.
This is being done on the initiative of Councillor Margaret Rose (pictured), chair of the town council’s planning committee, who announced the mission at the committee’s meeting last night (Monday).
“If this council doesn’t stand up for small businesses then it will be very remiss of us,” she told fellow councillors in seeking their support in joining her conducting the survey, details of which are now being prepared.
The survey results will provide the town council’s evidence when the belated public inquiry into Wiltshire Council’s refusal to grant retrospective planning consent to Caffe Nero, now likely to take place on January 6, is held.
As yet, the exact date and venue of the event has not been agreed by the Planning Inspectorate (based in Bristol), but October 29 has been fixed as the deadline for the appointed planning inspector to receive all objections and comments – in triplicate.
Councillor Rose said that Caffe Nero, which has won 16 out of 17 planning appeals in towns across the country after it had opened for business without planning consent, would provide figures of how well it had done since arriving in Marlborough High Street in April.
“I would like to survey all the cafes to see how many of them have lost business,” she pointed out. “I believe Caffe Nero’s decision to cream off customers is detrimental to the town.”
Councillor Peggy Dow, also a Wiltshire councillor, interjected: “That’s an excellent idea.” And other councillors too gave their blessing to the survey – there are some 20 outlets in the town — being carried out.
Councillor Rose added that Councillor Richard Gamble, vice-chairman of Wiltshire’s eastern area planning committee, would be presenting the case on “strong planning issues” as to why Caffe Nero should be denied retrospective consent.
“But as a council we must be concerned by the effect Caffe Nero’s decision has had on businesses,” said Councillor Rose. “If other councillors want to come round with me they can.”
“That will ensure that every café and bar is done. It is the smaller cafes who are suffering . I want us to cover every outlet that sells beverages. I thank you for your support. I appreciate that.”
Anyone may submit their views in writing direct to The Planning Inspectorate, 3/26 Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN, quoting the reference APP/Y3940/C/12/2183497 and E/2012/00077/ENF.
They have to be made in triplicate, any representations made after that deadline not normally being seen by the planning inspector will be returned.
Views expressed will be disclosed to Caffe Nero and are liable to be read out at the inquiry hearing.
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