How many cafes can Bromsgrove support? (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

How many cafes can Bromsgrove support?

1:00pm Monday 6th July 2009

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CONCERNS that a town the size of Bromsgrove cannot support a growing number of food outlets has been followed this week by fears that too many town coffee shops are chasing an increasingly small share of the cake.

It follows our page one story last week when we highlighted a restaurant owner's worries that he may be forced to close if planners allow another to open close by.

Now the owners of the Art Cafe in the relatively small Chapel Street, which already has two cafes, fear for their future if another is allowed to open in the next but one, just yards away in what used to be a retail shop Debbie Parker from Crabtree Lane, Bromsgrove, who with husband Gary has built up a thriving business over the past four years said: "We have put in an objection to the council along with a petition containing 300 signatures from Bromsgrove people who agree with us that there are more than enough coffee shops in the town centre, and that we need more retail shops rather than yet another coffee shop.

"Almost everyone I speak to regarding this application agrees it is ridiculous to allow another food outlet in Bromsgrove."

The district council's planning committee is set to consider the application next Monday (July 13). The officers' recommendation to councillors is that it should be granted.

On the same agenda is an application from Domino Pizza to set up shop in what was Threshers former premises at the top of High Street. Again the recommendation is it should be granted.

And as we featured last week another change of use application from retail to restaurant and take away at 33-35 Worcester Road with a granted recommendation will also be discussed.

Planning committee chairman councillor Ted Tibby (Con, St John's) said he has asked that due to public concern and high level of interest he has asked that the three applications be heard in open committee rather than be determined by officers under delegated powers.

"I want the public to hear what officers have to say," he said.

The meeting starts at the Council House in Burcot Lane at 2pm.

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