A neighbour, whose complaints about the smell of bacon and clinking teacups forced a local cafe to close, has hit back at the owner after she revealed plans to reopen 100 yards away.
The Caddy Shack in Weymouth, Dorset shut down in December after three residents said the odour and noise coming from the place was causing ‘unacceptable harm’ to their standard of living.
Owner Emma Ayles then decided to solve the problem by making a planning application to move the cafe, which is in a converted shopping container, 100 yards from nearby houses where she hopes it will be out of earshot of locals.
But now one of the original complainants has launched a fresh attack on Ms Ayles, 47, writing to Dorset Council calling for ‘more respect’ for neighbours.
They said: ‘Despite the false hype on social media and local radio stations about us as neighbours complaining about teaspoons, this is our home, and if only the cafe owner and the Rugby club had more respect for its neighbours this issue could have been sorted two years ago.’
A neighbour, whose complaints about the smell of bacon and clinking teacups forced a local cafe to close, has hit back at the owner after she revealed plans to reopen 100 yards away
The Caddy Shack in Weymouth, Dorset shut down in December after three residents said the odour and noise coming from the place was causing ‘unacceptable harm’ to their standard of living
Owner Emma Ayles (pictured), 47, then decided to solve the problem by making a planning application to move the cafe, which is in a converted shopping container, 100 yards from nearby houses where she hopes it will be out of earshot of locals
Other locals have been more positive about the new location.
Robert Smith said: ‘As neighbours who previously objected to the position of the Caddyshack we would like to say we are satisfied with its new location which is where we originally suggested.
‘None of the surrounding neighbours wanted this business to close, we simply wanted it to be moved back towards the rugby club…it is only a shame that the Caddyshack and the rugby club chose not to consult with their neighbours.’
Reginald Haylor said: ‘It was sadly missed when forced to close with some very suspect complaints.
‘I live approx 100 metres and found it very useful.’
Barry Smith wrote: ‘As a (very) local resident, I’m in full support of this application and happy to add my vote if needed.
‘It brings the community together as well as passing runners, dog walkers etc. and encourages local business as opposed to (for example) yet another chain store like McDonald’s or Costa.’
The cafe originally opened in Weymouth Rugby Club car park in April 2022 but complaints prevented it from becoming a permanent fixture.
The mother-of-two said that she hoped ‘common sense would prevail’
She said: ‘I am hopeful that this time the council will be on my side as two of the three complaints said they wanted the shack moved to the other side of the car park’
Officials ordered it to be closed due to the ‘unacceptable harm’ caused to locals.
The new plans have been supported by Weymouth Town Council but Ms Ayles is still waiting for the backing of Dorset Council.
The mother-of-two said that she hoped ‘common sense would prevail’.
She said: ‘It’s been really heart-warming and lovely to see the support (from the petition).
‘The plan is to put the shack completely on the other side of the car park.
‘I am hopeful that this time the council will be on my side as two of the three complaints said they wanted the shack moved to the other side of the car park.
‘That’s what we are proposing and it was only the ringleader who was against the whole thing.
‘I am hopeful that they will approve it but I’ve learnt from my experience so far that anything can happen.’
December’s closure led to eight people being made redundant.
Ms Ayles has also set up a Change.org petition which now has 4,000 signatures.
She said: ‘It’s been a constant battle, and so stressful.
‘The whole thing is so ridiculous that I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
‘To complain about the smell of bacon is ridiculous. And 90 per cent of the time the wind blows the other way from that house.
‘What do they want us to do, use chocolate teacups so there is no sound?
Ms Ayles has also set up a Change.org petition which now has 4,000 signatures
The cafe originally opened in Weymouth Rugby Club car park in April 2022 but complaints prevented it from becoming a permanent fixture
‘The council should be supporting small businesses yet they have given in to the ridiculous complaints of three residents.’
Councillor Tim Young said: ‘I would like to support it. It was a very popular resource, it wold be a shame if it didn’t come back.
‘They have moved it back a bit, that would seem to solve the problem.’
