MORE pubs and takeaways – is that the way Studley wants to go?
That was at the heart of the matter raised by councillor Brian Dixon as a parish council meeting met to consider proposals for a coffee shop in the High Street – complete with licenced bar.
“I frown at this – do we need another drinks outlet which goes along with the takeaways and everything else? Where are we heading?” he asked.
“I’m also concerned that it’s right at the entrance to the school.”
However, fellow councillors were broadly supportive, particularly as it would breath new life into a long-empty shop unit, site of what was once half of the former Dillons newsagents.
They liked the idea of a coffee shop, but like Coun Dixon had some qualms about another licenced premises in the village.
The proposal is that the ‘cafe’ would open from 7.30am to 11pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 9.30pm Saturday and Sunday.
At the suggestion of parish chairman Coun Paul Beaman, they came up with a list of conditions including: Levelling access at the front to allow wheelchair access, smartening up the appearance of the the building, comprehensive CCTV coverage, rectifying the car park at the rear of the units – which is liable to flooding, creation of an area at the back for smokers, and, as the intention is for it to stay open until 11pm, a noise restriction on music.
Proposed by Coun Eric Holder and seconded by Coun Sandra Croft, with Coun Dixon abstaining, the plan won the backing of the council and will now go through to Stratford District Council which will also consider the separate drinks licence application.
