Café looks to end its time in limbo
A WELL-KNOWN café in a village near Ashbourne has been left in limbo after a rollercoaster couple of years, including extended closure.
The Nose Bag Café near to the A50 at Foston is a popular stop-off – particularly among cyclists and walkers.
Planning documents submitted to South Derbyshire District Council detail that the café has been closed since September 2019 following a change in ownership and the pandemic lockdowns.
Documents submitted by Stephen Wild, who now owns the business with his wife, say the site has been used as a café since 2005.
However, planning permissions over those years have been disputed and complex, with the couple seeking to clear these up with a certificate of lawfulness filed to the council – but this was refused in May.
This was because the council says it could not be proven that the site had been used as a café for 10 continuous years – and as such was not protected from enforcement through long-term prior use.
Council officials said there was a gap in use between 2011 and 2013. This meant the new owners could not reopen in May as intended after a full refurbishment.
They have now applied for continued use as a café, along with outdoor seating and a car park.
South Derbyshire District
Council will make a decision on the application in the next few months.
Mr and Mrs Wild run a “highly successful” butchers in nearby Sudbury: Wilds Butchers, in School Lane, a family-operated business of 40 years.
A report written by JMI Planning, on behalf of the couple, says the applicants “are opening the cafe as a side-line to this business where they can cook and use products made at the butchers in a cafe setting”.
The report calls the café a “Mecca” for cyclists, saying: “The cafe has always been a regular stopping point for cyclists and walkers and these activities have increased markedly during the recent lockdowns.
“The café has always provided outdoor seating areas and these are to be maintained and enhanced.
“The applicant wishes to continue the use of the building that has been undertaken for over 15 years. During this time the cafe has operated successfully and has been profitable, it has always been very popular with cyclists, walkers and locals alike. “There is no doubt therefore that the proposal will cater for a significant demand especially as the café will be operated by Mr and Mrs Wild and will be serving produce from Wilds Butchers in Sudbury who have a strong reputation for quality products.”
The planning application submitted to the council says the cafe would be open 7.30am until 4pm seven days a week and would create four jobs.