Coffee hop

SERVICE with a smile . . . Nigel Hill enjoys a coffee in the park with customer Tracy Walsh and waitresses Susan Jones (left) and Jessica Henderson

A CAFE owner has come up with a novel solution to alfresco cappuccinos and lattes while awaiting a planning inspectorate ruling.

Nigel Hill, the owner of the upmarket Jamaica Blue Cafe Bar in High Street, Uppermill, wants permission to have two tables on the raised footpath he owns in front of the premises.

Twice he has been denied by planners use of this open space — and use of an enclosed outside area alongside the River Tame at the rear of the cafe he opened in August, last year. He is now awaiting an appeal decision expected later this summer.

Mr Hill (44), who also owns a kitchen manufacturing business, has now introduced 10 deck chairs for customers to borrow and take to the park opposite.

He added: “In an attempt to try and retain some of the business we are currently losing, I have manufactured a number of portable, collapsible chairs.

“My idea is that we already offer a full take-out service for clients so I am offering my customers to purchase a coffee or a meal and borrow one of our portable chairs and go and sit in the lovely King George V Park situated directly opposite Jamaica Blue.

Mr Hill, of Grasscroft, cannot understand the ruling as other cafes in High Street, and three pubs, all have tables outside their premises.

He said: “I was denied permission when I first opened and, on advice from the planning department, I have since applied for a relaxation of the planning conditions, but again I have been turned down.”

“We are definitely losing business at the moment. There are certain clients, walkers, possibly with dogs or prams that, so long as it is dry, will sit out all-year-round.”

Councillor Roger Hindle, chairman of the planning committee, said: “When considering a planning application, members are sympathetic to the needs of businesses — but any decisions that the committee makes must also always be balanced with the impact of a proposal on neighbouring residents and highway safety.

“Jamaica Blue’s last application — to remove the condition preventing their outside areas to be used by customers — was rejected last November.

“It was felt by members that use of the rear yard would have a detrimental impact on near-by residents.

“Use of the small area to the front of the bar was also rejected because of the limited available space and the potential for the overspill of customers on to the footpath causing highway safety problems.”