Restaurant boss faces decking complaints
HE may only have been in charge for a few days but the new owner of a city centre coffee shop is already causing a stir.
Shaun Kelly took over at the Piazza coffee shop in the Guildhall Shopping Centre earlier this month.
One of his first acts has been to create a wooden seating area in Market Square, which also serves as a wheelchair entrance.
But following complaints, the city council is now investigating whether it needs to be removed due to lack of planning permission. A city council spokesman said: "We have had complaints. We think it may need planning consent and are investigating."
Mr Kelly said he was surprised to learn of the investigation as he did not believe he needed to go through the planning process. He said: "As the decking is not a permanent structure, we do not need planning permission. We asked the shopping centre and they gave permission.
"The previous wheelchair access to the restaurant was dangerous and someone had fallen over.
"The decking provides a new wheelchair access. We are the only café in the Guildhall that is completely wheelchair accessible.
"The developments are not finished. We have plans for an umbrella to go over the decking, for which we will be applying for permission in about a month, and then we will run a Polish restaurant in the evening — tapping into the massive Polish community here."
He said the surrounding businesses and Guildhall management had been nothing more than supportive, adding: "We have also been granted a licence to sell alcohol in the restaurant so people can enjoy wine with their meal.
Mr Kelly bought the decking on Thursday and had it in place by Friday.
"People absolutely love it," he said. "Before, this part of the shopping centre was a dead area. It gives somewhere for people to read a book or chat.
"It also helps the child stroller crew as they can put their buggies on it. I am going to put a TV outside showing Thomas the Tank Engine or something.
"It's going to be a nice place where you can get a reasonably-priced meal."
Guildhall Shopping Centre manager Andrew McNeilly confirmed that the landlords had given their approval for the decking area, adding: "In the short time that Mr Kelly has owned the premises he has done a huge amount of work to that unit.
"He's spent an awful lot of time there talking to his customers and the premises have been busier than they have been in the last nine or 10 months.
"The feedback I've had from customers and other tenants is very positive."









14 Comments
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by John, Exeter
Saturday, March 14 2009, 1:57PM
“These decking isn't a waste of space; the planner are.”
by Mr Honest, Exeter
Saturday, March 14 2009, 5:32AM
“I can't help but feel thatthecouncil are trying to justify their own existance. Am I the only one who thinks that the reason they made the top of Paris street one way is so that it is easier for them to leave the office at 5!!!”
by Lyn, Crediton
Friday, March 13 2009, 8:43PM
“If the council don't know if he needs planning permission how can they expect the public to know?”
by Gay Smith, Exeter
Friday, March 13 2009, 5:52PM
“I saw the decking today and thought it was a great improvement on having the tables and chairs on the pavement. Well done.”
by JS, Exeter
Friday, March 13 2009, 3:10PM
“Alan - It's Performing Right Society (no s on 'Right').
I don't think Rich ever said it was the council who grant permission for it, he just commented that the post by Robert was boringly cynical, which it was.”
by NS, Mount Pleasant
Friday, March 13 2009, 3:08PM
“Shaun sounds like a lovely, positive chap with great ambition and drive. Unlike some people who seem to complain about ANYTHING!!
Stop raining on his parade!!!!”
by John, Exeter
Friday, March 13 2009, 1:21PM
“Good luck to you as the new owner in these troubled times. I hope the council see sense and allow you to keep your 'decking'. It is an added asset to the shopping centre already being proved by its popularity of use by the customers and has now given disabled persons access to the facilities which prior to now has been sorely lacking in the area.”
by Adam, exeter
Friday, March 13 2009, 1:09PM
“What are the council doing to be honnest i thought they might have better things to do with their time! I think what robert says is silly i don't see why they should seek permission they already sought it from the landlords and surrounding businesses why can't they leave things alone and do somthing useful!”
by Paul Taylor, Exeter,Devon.
Friday, March 13 2009, 12:03PM
“Well done to Shaun and his team , the decking looks lovely just keep it clean and well maintained and good luck with the business in very uncertain times , another retail unit not being left empty.
These complaints must be from very narrow minded busy bodies.............!”
by Alan, Exeter
Friday, March 13 2009, 11:43AM
“Rich Hodgson has got it all wrong.
The council plays no part in granting permission for Thomas the Tank engine videos to be played. If he were to read the back of any DVD, he would see that you do not get a licence for public showings. Take it up with the owners of Thomas the Tank engine. Similarly you are not allowed a radio in a public place unless you pay your tithe to the performing rights society. Welcome to copyright law.”