The vacant premises in Hiller’s Yard next to The India Shop is to become a café. At Monday’s meeting (August 18) of the Town Council’s planning committee councillors approved the change of use for the empty shop from retail to café and take-away status.
There were no objections to the application from neighbouring shops or nearby homes. This decision will now go to Wiltshire Council for a final ruling.
With the Cosy Bean next door and the Mercer’s of Marlborough café next door again, this will make a row of three cafés in Hiller’s Yard.
Councillor Richard Allen told the planning meeting that Andy Wilson at the Cosy Bean welcomed the new arrival. He thought it could help turn the yard into Marlborough’s “café quarter”.
Andy told Marlborough News Online: “So long as we’re offering different choices for people it’ll be fine. I think competition’s a good thing.”
The Cosy Bean celebrated its first birthday last weekend.
This empty premises next to the Cosy Bean (one of two units currently empty in Hillier’s Yard) was last occupied by a beautician and is now set to become ‘The Farmhouse Kitchen’ serving locally produced fare. It will be run by the Padfield family of Seend.
John and Sandra Padfield – and their two daughters – farm Totterdown Farm at Seend where they specialise in breeding and rearing pigs. They are the third generation to run the farm.
Trading as ‘Padfield Porkies’, the farm does its own butchering and produces farm-made sausages, burgers, dry cured bacon and hams. They also provide a hog roast service.
John Padfield says the family want to serve locally produced food and to hire local staff: “We want to bring our produce to Marlborough.”
