A woman who had to close her cafe after neighbors complained about the smell of bacon and the clinking of teacups is planning to reopen it – on the other side of the car park.
Emma Ayles, 47, hopes the repositioning of her cafe will put it out of the earshot and nostrils of complainants.
Officials ordered Emma to close the Caddy Shack cafe in Weymouth, Dorset, in December due to the ‘unacceptable damage’ it had caused to neighbours.
Opponents claimed the ‘smell of bacon’ and ‘hearing teaspoons and teacups’ were ruining their standard of living when she applied to make the cafe a permanent fixture.
Dorset Council rejected Emma’s bid for retrospective planning permission in February last year and her appeal was also rejected.
Emma Ayles, 47, (pictured) who had to close her cafe after neighbors complained about the smell of bacon and the clinking of teacups, plans to reopen it – on the other side of the car park
She hopes the repositioning of her cafe will put it out of the earshot and nostrils of complainants
Officials ordered Emma to close the Caddy Shack cafe in Weymouth, Dorset in December due to the ‘unacceptable damage’ it had caused to neighbors
Located in a converted shipping container, the Caddy Shack cafe has been a popular addition to the Weymouth and Portland Rugby Club car park since opening in April 2022.
The married mother-of-two has now submitted a new planning application for the cafe, which will see it set back 100 meters from the houses.
Emma said: ‘It used to be 24 meters away from the neighbors but now it will be almost 100 metres, so they shouldn’t be able to smell bacon or hear teacups clinking.’
She already has the backing of Weymouth Council, which has backed her plans, but they now need to be approved by Dorset Council.
Emma said she hoped “common sense would prevail” and officials would approve the new location and support a local business.
She has also started a Change.Org petition to save The Caddy Shack, which has received more than 4,000 signatures in a month.
She said: ‘It was really heartwarming and beautiful to see the support (from the petition).
‘The plan is to place the hut completely on the other side of the parking garage.
“I am hopeful that the council will be on my side this time as two of the three complaints said they wanted to move the hut to the other side of the car park.
Dorset Council rejected Emma’s bid for retrospective planning permission in February last year and her appeal was also rejected
The married mother-of-two has now submitted a new planning application for the cafe, which will see it set 100 meters away from the houses
She has also started a Change.Org petition to save The Caddy Shack, which has received more than 4,000 signatures in a month
‘That is what we are proposing and only the leader was against the whole thing.
“I’m hopeful they’ll approve it, but I’ve learned from my experience so far that anything can happen.”
After closing the cafe in December, laying off eight people, Emma described the stress she endured over the petty row.
She said: ‘It’s been a constant struggle, and so stressful.
‘The whole thing is so ridiculous I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
‘Complaining about the smell of bacon is ridiculous. And 90 percent of the time the wind blows the other way, away from that house.
“What do they want us to do, use chocolate teacups so there’s no noise?
“The council should be supporting small businesses, but they have given in to the ridiculous complaints of three residents.
Councilor Tim Young backed Emma’s plans, saying: ‘I would like to support it. It was a very popular source, it would be a shame if it didn’t come back. They moved it back a bit, which seems to solve the problem.’
The decision to forcibly close the cafe in December was rejected by people on social media.
Emma had to lay off eight people when she closed the café in December
Kati Eastwood wrote: ‘The sound of teaspoons and the smell of bacon… that must have been absolutely terrifying for the residents. They should be deeply ashamed of themselves.’
Jon Fells added, “This is just behind my house. They cause absolutely no problem whatsoever.
‘I’ve been there a number of times to eat and drink.
‘What an absolute shame that anyone would feel the need to strengthen themselves by closing this great little establishment. Such a pity!’
Anthony Goss, chairman of Weymouth and Portland RFC, also said: ‘We are disappointed with the judgment and the impact it will have on the local area, not only for players and their families, but also for the community.
“It’s very sad for a small business navigating a difficult climate, and sad for the workforce.
‘The support from people has been incredible. Thank you to all the customers who make this place what it is.’
MailOnline has contacted Dorset Council for comment.