In a shocking turn of events, a cafe owner, Emma Ayles, has been forced to close her business, leaving eight people unemployed, after three neighbors raised complaints about the cafe’s activities. The complaints primarily centered around the smell of bacon and the noise of clinking teacups, leading planning officials to take swift action. Emma Ayles, a 47-year-old mother of two, expressed her devastation at losing her business just before Christmas due to the unexpected closure.
The controversy erupted after officials concluded that The Caddy Shack Cafe, a popular establishment run by Emma, was causing “unacceptable harm” to the living conditions of nearby residents. Emma had set up the cafe in April 2022, converting a metal shipping container into a cozy cafe, in collaboration with Weymouth and Portland Rugby Club in Dorset. Initially, the rugby club had allowed her to temporarily operate on their land while she pursued permanent planning permission for the cafe.
The cafe swiftly became a favorite spot for the local community, attracting walkers, school children, and disabled individuals on mobility scooters. It served as a meeting point for various groups, fostering a sense of community and providing a welcoming space for all.
However, the harmony was disrupted when three residents living near the cafe raised concerns about “noise and odor” emanating from the establishment in October 2022. These complaints led to Dorset Council rejecting Emma’s application for retrospective planning permission in February, and her subsequent appeal was also denied, leaving her with no recourse.
Emma shared her frustration, saying, “It’s been a constant battle, and so stressful wondering if the business will stay open every week, and then on Saturday I was told to close the next day. It’s just before Christmas, and I’ve had to let eight staff members go, they have children or are students. It was an awful conversation to have with them, and nobody understands why they have closed us down. Everyone is flabbergasted.”
The complaints cited the “smell of bacon” and the sounds of “teaspoons and teacups” as sources of disturbance. Emma found these objections ludicrous and mentioned that the prevailing wind direction usually carried any bacon scent away from the complainants’ residence. She humorously quipped, “What do they want us to do, use chocolate teacups so there is no sound?”
Emma also criticized the council’s decision, expressing concern for the community members who frequented her cafe, including students from the Wyvern School and disabled individuals who found it accessible for mobility scooters. She highlighted the impact on her loyal customers, saying, “I just feel bad for the community as groups met at the cafe every day.”
The appeal against the planning decision was submitted by Weymouth and Portland Rugby Club, who stated that they were disappointed with the judgment’s impact on both players and the local community. Anthony Goss, the chairman of the club, emphasized the difficulty faced by small businesses in a challenging economic climate and expressed gratitude to the cafe’s loyal customers for their support.
The decision to close the cafe has sparked outrage on social media, with many individuals expressing their disbelief at the complaints and the subsequent action taken. One social media user, Kati Eastwood, sarcastically commented on the complaints about teacup noise and bacon smell, while another, Jon Fells, spoke highly of the cafe and lamented its closure.
This controversial incident has raised questions about the balance between supporting local businesses and addressing the concerns of residents. It remains to be seen whether any further actions will be taken to address the situation or if there will be a reevaluation of the decision to close The Caddy Shack Cafe.