A woman who had to close her cafe after neighbors complained about the smell of bacon and the clink of teacups is planning to reopen it – across the car park.
Emma Ayles, 47, hopes relocating her cafe will put it out of earshot and nostrils of the complainers.
Officials ordered Emma to close the Caddy Shack cafe in Weymouth, Dorset in December because of the ‘unacceptable harm’ it was causing to neighbours.
Objectors claimed that ‘the smell of bacon’ and ‘hearing teaspoons and teacups’ were ruining their living standards 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 clink of teacups, plans to reopen it – across the car park
She hopes that relocating her cafe will remove it from the ears and nostrils of the complainers
Officials ordered Emma to close the Caddy Shack cafe in Weymouth, Dorset in December because of the ‘unacceptable harm’ it was causing to neighbors
The Caddy Shack cafe, housed in a converted shipping container, had been a popular addition to the Weymouth and Portland Rugby Club car park since it opened in April 2022.
The married mother-of-two has now submitted a new planning application for the cafe, which will see it moved 100m away from the houses.
Emma said: ‘Before it was 24 meters away from the neighbors but now it will be almost 100 meters so they shouldn’t be able to smell bacon or hear teacups clinking.’
She already has the backing of Weymouth Town Council, which voted to back 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 over 4,000 signatures in a month.
She said: ‘It’s been really heartwarming and lovely to see the support (from the petition).
‘The plan is to put the cabin completely on the other side of the car park.
‘I hope the council will be on my side this time, as two of the three complainants said they wanted the cabin moved to the other side of the car park.
Dorset Council rejected Emma’s bid for retrospective planning permission last February and her appeal was also thrown out
The married mother-of-two has now submitted a new planning application for the cafe, which will see it moved 100m away from the houses
She has also started a Change.Org petition to save The Caddy Shack which has received over 4,000 signatures in a month
‘That is what we are proposing and it was only the main man who was against it all.
“I hope they will approve it, but I have learned from my experience so far that anything can happen.”
After closing the cafe in December, which resulted in eight people being made redundant, Emma described the stress she had endured over the petty row.
She said: ‘It’s been a constant battle, and so stressful.
‘It’s all 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 from that house.
‘What do they want us to do, use chocolate teacups so there’s no sound?
‘The council should be supporting small businesses, yet they have given in to the ridiculous complaints of three residents.
Backing Emma’s plans, councilor Tim Young said: ‘I would like to support it. It was a very popular resource, it would be a shame if it didn’t come back. They’ve moved it back a bit, that seems to fix the problem.’
The decision to force the cafe to close in December was slammed by people on social media.
Emma had to make eight people redundant when she closed the cafe in December
Kati Eastwood wrote: ‘The sound of teaspoons and the smell of bacon… it must have been absolutely terrifying for the residents. They should be thoroughly ashamed.’
Jon Fells added: ‘This is right behind my house. They cause absolutely no problems at all.
‘I have visited several times for food and drink.
‘What a shame that someone feels the need to empower themselves by having this great little business shut down. So sad!’
Anthony Goss, Chairman of Weymouth and Portland RFC also said: ‘We are disappointed by the verdict and the impact it will have on the local area, not only from players and their families, but for the community.
‘It is very sad for a small company that is on the way in a tough climate and sad for the staff.
‘The support from people has been incredible. A huge thank you to all customers for making the place what it is.’
MailOnline has contacted Dorset Council for comment.