Cafe’s outdoor seating bid is backed
Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council has agreed to support a planning application by the town’s Cateran Cafe for an outside seating area.
The decision was taken following a discussion at the most recent meeting of the statutory organisation, held on Thursday last week in Rattray Church Hall.
Those gathered heard from cafe proprietors, June and George Gall, who took over the establishment – formerly known as Bradberries – around 18 months ago.
Mr Gall explained: “When we bought the premises we were told it had planning permission for outside seating and we experienced no problems at all until about halfway through last summer.
“People complained and we received a visit from the roads department and then we discovered that there was not full planning permission for the seating area.
“We decided to apply for permission but have now had a number of objections, as well as some letters of support, and think that a letter of support from the local community council might help our case.”
The application is for four tables of four in the wider section of the pavement outside the cafe.
Mr Gall continued: “We think the cafe is of benefit to the whole town. We have completely changed what Bradberries was doing and we are very busy, so much so that we have increased the number of staff that we employ to three full-time members of staff and five weekend staff. And we use mainly local suppliers so an increase in our business benefits them too.”
Community councillor Gordon Darge described the cafe as an asset to the town.
It was also highlighted that a number of groups such as cyclists, smokers and dog owners prefer to sit outside.
Comments made by objectors included concerns about safety due to congestion in the area and reduced access for wheelchair users or those with pushchairs.
Following a vote, a majority decision by members saw the community council agree to submit a letter in support of the application.