In a surprising and unfortunate turn of events, Emma Ayles, a 47-year-old mother of two and the owner of The Caddy Shack Cafe, had to close her beloved business. This decision left eight employees out of work, all because three nearby residents found issues with the cafe’s activities, particularly the smell of bacon and the sound of clinking teacups. This heart-wrenching closure happened just before Christmas, leaving Emma devastated.
Emma had opened The Caddy Shack Cafe in April 2022 by transforming a metal shipping container into a charming cafe in collaboration with the Weymouth and Portland Rugby Club in Dorset. The rugby club had permitted her to operate on their land temporarily while she sought permanent planning permission. The cafe quickly became a local hotspot, especially for walkers, schoolchildren, and those riding mobility scooters.
However, in October 2022, the tranquility was disrupted when three nearby homeowners complained about the “noise and odor” emanating from the cafe, leading to Dorset Council rejecting Emma’s application for retrospective planning permission in February. Her subsequent appeal was also dismissed, leaving her with no alternatives.
Filled with frustration, Emma stated, “It’s been a constant battle, and so stressful, wondering if the business will be open every week, and then on Saturday I was ordered to close the next day. It’s shortly before Christmas, and I’ve had to let go eight staff members who have children or are students. It was a terrible conversation to have with them, and no one understands why they shut us down. Everyone is shocked.”
The complaints mainly focused on the “smell of bacon” and the sounds of “teaspoons and teacups.” Emma found these grievances ridiculous and pointed out that the wind typically carried any scents away from the complainants’ homes. She humorously pondered, “What do they want us to do, use chocolate teacups so there is no sound?”
Emma also criticized the council’s decision, showing concern for her community including students from Wyvern School and disabled patrons who appreciated the cafe’s accessibility. “I just feel bad for the community as groups met at the cafe every day,” she said, highlighting the profound impact on her loyal customers.
The Weymouth and Portland Rugby Club also appealed against the planning decision, expressing their disappointment. Anthony Goss, the club’s chairman, voiced the struggle small businesses face in tough economic times and expressed thanks to the cafe’s devoted customers for their support.
The cafe’s closure has sparked outrage on social media, with many people expressing their disbelief. One social media user, Kati Eastwood, sarcastically remarked on the complaints about teacup noise and bacon smell, while another, Jon Fells, praised the cafe and lamented its closure.
This contentious situation brings up important questions about finding the right balance between supporting local businesses and addressing community concerns. Whether any actions will be taken to revisit this decision, or if The Caddy Shack Cafe might find a path to reopening, remains uncertain.
