Source: The Weston Mercury
AN EVANGELICAL preacher, café owners and the town council are united in their concern about a snack stand due to open in Weston High Street.
Pastime Pantry has been given a licence to trade outside the former Woolworths store and could take trade away from existing businesses.
Snack bar owners say it is not fair that the new stall will pay only £2,600 in rates each year, while the permanent shops pay thousands more.
Permission was granted by the planning and regulatory licensing sub-committee, made up of five councillors from outside Weston.
Gardens Restaurant owner Anastasia Pavlou-Georgiou said: “I find it unbelievable that the council has granted a Street Traders Licence to this type of operator.
“There are at least 21 outlets in the High Street vicinity between Big Lamp Corner and the Grove Park end of the High Street which sell products similar to those to be sold by this particular trader.”
Her business is yards from where the stand will open and pays more than £16,000 per year in business rates.
Another café owner, Clare Morris, owner of Coco Browns in Big Lamp Corner has also previously spoken out against the plans and said the difference in business rates was unfair.
Christian Stephen Fagg commutes daily from Yatton to preach and displays his posters in the area earmarked for the stand.
He said: “I can’t think of any other pitches in the High Street where I could operate like this.
“It will definitely set us back a little bit and I would like to stay here, but maybe they will let me stay here.”
Weston Town Councillors objected to the application and said existing businesses should be supported.
Town clerk Malcolm Nicholson said: “We were very disappointed that North Somerset Council approved it in spite of the town council’s objection.
“The grounds are that there are plenty of other cafes and restaurants in the High Street and surrounding areas, so there is no need for this application to be approved.”
Weston Town Centre Partnership objected on the grounds it would obstruct pedestrians, cause smells to surrounding businesses and that there are sufficient takeaway premises nearby.
The 30sq ft outlet has been granted permission to sell doughnuts, drinks, candy floss, pancakes and slush from 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sunday.