A coffee shop owner has become embroiled in a bitter war with his local council after being ordered to close a service window at his premises without any explanation.
Ashley Benson, owner of Local Folk, told Daily Mail Australia he was stunned when he was told to make the change at his business in the inner-city Melbourne suburb of Kensington.
The window had served as a convenient takeout spot where customers could order and pick up their drinks without having to enter the café.
It was helpful for customers who would normally struggle to navigate a busy coffee shop, such as parents with strollers or dogs, or anyone living with a disability.
Mr Benson placed a sign in the window to inform the public that he had been ordered to close it by order of Melbourne City Council.
He said he has operated his cafe for years and admitted he understood local councils had to ensure business owners complied with laws.
But he doesn’t know what law he’s breaking.
“I’ve been here 10 years and we play within the rules, but all of a sudden the city council came in and said you can’t serve outside the rules,” Benson said.
Local Folk owner Ashley Benson told Daily Mail Australia he was stunned after being asked to make the change at his business in Kensington, Melbourne’s inner city.
Melbourne City Council came with a bizarre order for Benson to close a business that was “a vital tool” for him
“I’ve tried to ask them, ‘Can we fix this? Do we need a different system?'” he said.
“But they just came and told me: ‘If the window is open, you’re going to get a fine.'”
The “coffee window” provides Mr. Benson’s business with a lifeline in today’s economy.
“Most of our sales are small,” he said, revealing that his customers mostly stopped by the business while taking children to school or heading to work.
“The industry is already in trouble.”
Mr. Benson’s unique window provides connection to customers who may not be able to navigate narrow alleys of cafes or even simple stairs outside restaurants in the coffee capital.
“We have a step (outside our own cafe), so for anyone with a walker getting up is a challenge,” she said.
‘With the window it’s really easy, and for the community it means they get a social connection, we know everyone’s names and they can chat to the friendly staff we have.’
Mr Benson said his cafe was a strong community hub, employing and training local children, getting to know their families and running charity campaigns through the business.
That is partly why he was so surprised by the council’s decision to ban a simple window.
“If there was a law it would be quite fair, but I can’t find anything,” he said.
“They just don’t want to consult me.”
Mr Benson said he asked if he could apply for a permit, but his application was denied.
Local customer Arron Wood, a former deputy mayor and acting mayor, said the council had lost touch with business owners.
“It’s clear that City Hall, under the leadership of Nick Reece, has no understanding or sympathy for small business owners who are simply trying to survive and make a living,” he said.
The coffee shop used its ‘coffee window’ to serve customers who cannot or do not have time to come in.
‘This is just one of many examples I have heard of the City of Melbourne’s misguided priorities when it comes to the municipality’s small businesses.
‘Local Folk is a great cafe in Kensington and I will be visiting them soon to show my support for their business.
“Melbourne needs a fresh start and the best way to do that is through a change of leadership at City Hall.”
A photograph of the sign was shared on Facebook, where social media users were outraged by the advice.
“They are wiping out businesses that have managed to survive the worst economic conditions in our history, many of which have been created by a ruthless and cruel Victorian Labor government,” said one Melbourne resident.
“Elections matter, especially local ones,” another reminded the audience.
It is understood the council has closed the window until the City of Melbourne can devise a permitting system for coffee windows.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the City of Melbourne for comment.