Caffe Nero pushes for town centre site
A SHOP which has sat for more than a year unused — filled with building materials — in one of the most prominent and historic locations in Barnstaple could still become a cafe, if plans are approved.
Builders employed by coffee shop chain Caffe Nero were forced to stop work on a new cafe, on the corner of Butchers Row and High Street, in early 2008 by North Devon Council because the business did not have the necessary planning permission.
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Caffe Nero site
In September a Caffe Nero spokesman said the business was working closely with the planning authority to make sure that all the necessary permissions were in place before the builders resumed work "soon".
Since then, paper copies of Caffe Nero's plans have remained visible through the shop windows, where they were left laid out by builders.
This week, Caffe Nero has submitted three connected applications to the council: for alterations to the shop front; for listed building consent for alterations; and for permission to install signs.
Caffe Nero wants to strip out the shop's interior and use mahogany for a new shop front.
According to the firm's planning application "there are no internal physical features of architectural importance" in the shop.
Caffe Nero said it aimed to integrate with the "local environment and culture" and the cafe chain's "identity" used "cues from Italy's rich history of architecture, art and culture, fused with contemporary Italian style".
But the firm said it did not want to replicate an Italian cafe in Barnstaple, because that would be "fake", so it had created a "theme of real Italian people living and working in Britain and through the use of photography and colour produced an Italian feel that uses Italian cues in a new way".
In the application, the firm admits there has been "no liaison with local community for this proposal" but they had tried to make the scheme fit with adjacent tenants.
Local traders were furious last year when a different coffee shop chain, Costa Coffee, opened a cafe in Barnstaple High Street without planning permission for change of use and listed building consent.
However the firm denied that it had breached the planning laws.
As well as a number of independent, local, cafes in Barnstaple, there is also now athe Costa Coffee and a Boston Tea Party outlet.
Members of the public can comment on the proposals at http://planning.northdevon.gov.uk
The consultation period ends on Thursday, July 2.
6 Comments
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by Graham, Braunton
Thursday, August 13 2009, 1:44PM
“"Caffe Nero said it aimed to integrate with the "local environment and culture" and the cafe chain's "identity" used "cues from Italy's rich history of architecture, art and culture, fused with contemporary Italian style"."
Funniest thing I've read here in a long time. Is this quote also in the Journal, it's about time the Journal got a mention on the News Quiz.
Oh and what happened to NDC wanting these shops to open up on the side streets or the Strand, not in the middle of town in a site that needs to be reserved for real businesses, not coffee shops :)”
by Peter, Barnstaple
Saturday, August 08 2009, 4:50PM
“FACT..Costa coffee is the best coffee shop in town Fact.. a lot of times in the week you carn't get a seat they have long ques and i have often seen people go in, turn around and go out as its to busy ....So CLEARLY the is a place for more QUALITY coffee shops The Coucil planners have no clue on how to develop a town, all you need to do is look what they have done to the strand? I would would put free hour parking all along the strand turn it into a row of shops and invite all the big names in and give them six months free rent and rates just to get them in”
by steve, barnstaple
Saturday, July 04 2009, 11:00AM
“while i agree that the shop at the present time is an eyesore,why have the council allowed costa coffee to carry on trading ,whilst preventing caffe nero from continuing with their plans.but on the other hand,do we need any more food outlets in barnstaple?the area around the town is littered with plastic cups and the remains of kebab meals and pasty crusts.do we really need a large pasty stuck in our mouths while shopping?i also note you have a story about rats at a public house,which the council is blaming on thrown away fast food.”
by Paul, Croyde
Thursday, June 18 2009, 4:06PM
“Get Caffe Nero in - given the current economic climate, there's going to be no development in the near future to drag Branstaple's retail offer into the 21st century so get it done one shop at a time!
Seems ludicrous that the council is dragging its heels over getting a shop open that could be providing locals with much needed jobs.
Not saying anyone should be allowed to ride a coach and horses through planning laws but surely this needn't have taken more than a year to sort out?”
by Trish, Barnstaple
Thursday, June 18 2009, 9:22AM
“What a pity that the fantastic East West Bakery couldn't get permission to work from this property. This wonderful business would be perfect and there would be much more space for customers to browse such lovely produce. There are enough cafes and bars already in the town for people to choose from”