Pancake seller’s proposal for a permanent stall falls a little flat

‘I think my presence here has actually been beneficial for the city centre’

One of the city’s best-known street traders is facing opposition over his plans for a permanent food cabin in the High Street.

Simon Bunce has run the Cite Crepes stand outside Nasons for 14 years, bringing his trailer into Canterbury almost daily.

However, now there are complaints over his plans for a cabinstyle hut to be left on the site overnight.

Council officers have recommended his application be refused, claiming the unit will spoil the heritage setting in the High Street.

However, Mr Bunce, 46, hopes members of the planning committee will give him a sympathetic hearing next week.

The application has received 16 objections, including one from Nasons, but 33 people have also written in to support his proposal.

Mr Bunce says the new unit will be designed to fit in with the historic surroundings, unlike, he argues, many city centre shopfronts.

“You see these units in plenty of other historic cities and town centres around the country,” he said.

“It would be very sympathetic. At present I have to bring the trailer and set up every day, which is obviously a hassle and takes about 40 minutes.

“The unit I is only 60cm wider than the existing one and Kent Highways is not objecting.

“The only real difference is that I will leave it in place overnight.

“Although the unit would be permanent, it would not be fixed in such a way that I couldn’t remove it occasionally if there was some sort of parade.”

Mr Bunce says he has always sought to be community-minded during his 14 years in Canterbury.

“I think my presence here has actually been beneficial for the city centre, with good reviews on sites like Trip Advisor,” he said.

“It has also helped reduce antisocial behaviour in the Kent Yeomanry memorial garden behind me.

“I have also offered my stand as a kind of central meeting point in the city centre for incidents like lost children and am happy to work with organisations like Shop Watch because I see a lot of what goes on.”

The application will be considered by the planning committee at 6.30pm on Tuesday night at Canterbury’s Guildhall.

What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup. co.uk or write to Gazette House, 5-8 Boorman Way, Wraik Hill, Whitstable, CT5 3SE

Picture: Tony Flashman FM3856475 Simon Bunce, who runs Cite Crepes, wants to replace the trailer that he currently uses with a cabin-style hut which would on-site permanently