Cabbie’s favourite cafe to close
Friday, 29 October, 2010 10:16 AM
A favourite cafe of East London cabbies is to close after being threatened with a massive fine from the Council.
April Mack of Mack’s Cafe near London City Airport said she holds Newham Council to account for not telling her she needed to get planning permission from them as well as the London Development Authority.
Two weeks ago, the Council issued April with a notice to close or face a £20,000 fine. It says cars that stop by the cafe block the road but April says both lanes can still be used fully. April set up the North Woolwich Road cafe two months ago after a year on benefits and is currently four months pregnant.
She told The Docklands: “The council’s environmental health team came last week and were disappointed to know I had to close as they wanted to give me four stars as my cafe is so clean which is apparently unusual in Newham. I totally hold the Council responsible as they didn’t tell me I needed to get planning permission from them as well as the LDA.
“When I have had my baby I will look to move the portacabin somewhere else as I spent £7,000 on buying it and kitting it out. It’s just a shame I won’t be able to come back here as everyone loved it.”
Last week, a Council spokesman said it would be happy to advise on seeking planning permission but April said the Council had told her in a letter if she sought planning permission there she would not be granted it.
Source; http://www.docklands24.co.uk/news/cabbi ... e_1_708166