Objections against the opening of two coffee shops on Gloucester Road and Whiteladies Road have been overruled.
South West Coffee Ltd won its appeal against Bristol City Council which issued enforcement notices after it was alleged the company was operating its shops as “A1/A3” premises which the council said it was not licensed to do.
Although the local husband and wife franchisees had planning permission to open and trade, the council claimed that they continued to run the shops without the necessary planning consent.
Ex-British Army royal Engineer Stuart Montgomery of South West Coffee Ltd who runs a number of franchised Costa Coffee Shops across the South West with his wife Lynn, appealed against the enforcement notice claiming they were not in breach of any planning rules.
Stuart said: “We’re delighted with the outcome of this appeal and would like to thank the people of Bristol for their incredible support.
“The enforcement notice was not founded on valid planning reasons and we can now look forward to operating both shops which we plan to develop into important social hubs for the community where people of all ages and walks of life may meet, chat, drink coffee and relax amongst friends.
With both locations situated in a designated conservation area it was ruled that each development had preserved the character and appearance of their respective areas.
The inspector’s report also states that the Council’s evidence did not show clearly why the development could not be permitted and that it should not have been necessary for the planning application, and the subsequent enforcement notice, to go to appeal.
With South West Coffee Ltd incurring significant unnecessary expense it will be awarded full costs in relation to the appeals.
Stuart added: “This has been a massive and distressing waste of time and has cost the council a lot of money.
“We can now look forward to serving great coffee and cake to the wonderful people of Bristol.”
