Weymouth café owner forced to close because customers ‘stirring too loudly’ says she’s "devastated"
A popular community café has been taken away customers because one neighbour's noise complaint
Last updated 18th Dec 2023
A café in Weymouth has been forced to close due to a noise complaint over “the smell of bacon” and teaspoons “stirring too loudly”.
The Caddy Shack Café at Weymouth and Portland Rugby Club was refused planning permission to become a permanent fixture earlier this week.
Café owner, Emma Ayles has been in a “constant battle” with nearby residents that has left her questioning starting the business venture: “I love my job, I love the café and I love speaking to all of the customer’s, but now I think, ‘Was it worth all this stress?”
Permanent status for The Caddy Shack was first denied in February 2023 due to objections made by nearby residents which began in October 2022.
Nine people have now lost their jobs in the run-up to Christmas due to the neighbour’s noise complaint.
Emma Ayles said the objections are ‘laughable’: “It's a lovely community café. Most of my customers are over 60, they’re very quiet and the house is at least 24 metres away from the seating area, so I doubt they can hear the cups clinking.”
She added: “It makes me upset because some of my staff are students or school leavers, so it’s their first job and they loved it. Then the other staff have families they need to support and they’re without a job at Christmas.”
Mrs Ayles says she was not given any notice and is frustrated at the timing of the closure.
A petition to “Save the Caddy Shack” has since been launched by the nearby rugby club and has already received 2,800 signatures.
Mrs Ayles said she been moved by the support of the community: “It's so heartwarming to know how many people are behind me.
“It was a nice business to run. It earnt me a wage that I was happy with but more importantly I managed to keep the cost low for customers who are mostly retired and perhaps don’t have much money to spend on Starbucks or Costa.”
Mr Ayles, who has now taken another job to earn money to cover the costs of living, is now calling on the council to “work alongside” or at least support local businesses instead of “just closing them.”