A Hampshire coffee shop has been prohibited from opening its doors on Sundays after neighbours living in flats above complained about the pervasive smell of hot food and coffee, describing it as an assault on their peace and quiet.
Residents Demand a Day 'Free of Odours'
The dispute reached a head at a Fareham Borough Council planning meeting, where councillors ruled that allowing Coco's Coffee Shop to trade on a seventh day would constitute an 'unacceptable encroachment' on the lives of local residents. People living in the flats above the café on a parade of shops argued they needed one day a week free from the aromas and noise.
Jessica Lillywhite, a police worker who represented the residents, stated at the meeting that the community was opposed to the extra day. She cited noise from moving furniture, gatherings of people, and persistent food smells as significantly affecting their daily lives. "We want one day a week free of stress, free of noise, free of odours - that is all we are asking," she told the committee.
One long-term resident, who has lived in his flat for 36 years, explained the practical impact. "As soon as they start cooking, we have to open our kitchen window because it stinks," he said. He and his partner, both hard workers, emphasised that Sunday was their one chance for a lie-in, which would be ruined by the need to ventilate the property. He attributed the problem to the wood-framed structure of the 1960s building, which allows smells and noise to travel easily.
Café Owner Fears Forced Closure Amid Cost Crisis
The decision represents a severe blow to café owner Jacqueline Avis, who has run the business for four years. She had applied to open between 10am and 4pm on Sundays specifically to generate extra income to cope with soaring bills. Ms Avis warned that the refusal could force her to shut down entirely.
"Because of the economic state of things at the moment we need to gain another day to open," she said. "Things have gone up in the last year like electrical bills, taxes and national insurance so we just need more income to stay afloat." She added that if they cannot find a way forward, they may have to take "quite drastic" action in the new year.
Ms Avis pointed out that her café, which serves cooked breakfasts, jacket potatoes, and paninis, had taken steps to mitigate disturbances. These include fitting gliders on chairs to prevent scraping, installing noise-cancelling boxes on coffee blenders, and not having licences for music or alcohol. She also noted that a pub a few doors away also cooks food, and that only three of the seven flats above had formally objected.
Council Sympathies Split in Final Vote
During the council meeting, Councillor Steve Dugan acknowledged that his sympathies were divided between residents' right to peaceful enjoyment of their homes and business owners' need to earn a living. Council officer Richard Wright advised councillors to consider whether the additional trading day would adversely impact neighbours, given the café already operates six days a week.
In the end, Councillor Paul Whittle concluded that Sunday opening would be an unacceptable intrusion. The planning committee voted overwhelmingly to refuse the application, with eight votes against and only one in favour.
The café, which includes a small community library and has hosted wakes, is described by Ms Avis as a vital hub on the estate, in the absence of a community centre. She now faces an uncertain future, with the welfare of her six staff also in the balance, as she tries to navigate the festive period and beyond.
