Devon café hit by setback sees locals rally behind new plans
A planning application to provide shelter for those visiting a popular newly established seafront café in Exmouth is already generating a positive response from locals after a setback last year when it was forced to remove decking it had not been granted permission to build.
The local owners of Hangtime, Olly Bridge - the son of world kite surfing champion Steph Bridge - and Meg Barnett, located in the Sideshore development in Queens Drive, are seeking permission from East Devon District Council (EDDC) to erect a canvas awning that will help shelter people in all weathers as the café is open all year round.
It woild be located on the east side of the self-contained building which largely sells hot drinks and cakes to residents and tourists throughout the year. It has an immediate seating area in close proximity to the building.
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The application states: "The awning will allow us to provide some shelter from the wind and rain to our customers, especially through the winter. The awning we are seeking permission for will be six meters wide and will extend up to 2.5 meters when out."
Last February, Hangtime Cafe was ordered to tear down new decking it had already started to build next to its takeaway outlet. The owners said they were “unaware” they needed permission from EDDC, according to planning documents.
They had wanted to provide more seating as their business has reportedly grown significantly since it opened. They were told they must remove it within three months and put the area back the way it was, which they did.
Cllr Nick Hookway (Lib Dem, Exmouth Littleham) lamented the removal of the original plants and described the decking as “way out of scale and completely inappropriate”. Exmouth Town Council also opposed the plans to keep the decking.
The café opened in 2020 and is beside Edge Watersports, owned by Eric and Steph Bridge who have a combined 50 years experience of teaching watersports in Exmouth.
The café's current application has so far received 16 public responses in support of it and three against.
Among those in favour, one person said: "I strongly support this application. We have been frequent customers at Hangtime since they opened and now love to bring our one year old son there too.
"There are not many where we can go to enjoy coffee, fresh air and allow him to run around in a safe environment. The awning would provide us with shelter so we can continue to do so no matter the weather and allow other families with a little rest bite from either the rain or wind when they are in need of getting out the house to enjoy some fresh air."
Another added: "We visit almost every day, walking our dog, as do many others and in all weathers. A little cover will be appreciated, not only from inclement weather but it will also act as a 'sunscreen' plus, a deterrent to those marauding seagulls, often seen pinching food from unsuspecting visitors!
"This is a great business, run by and employing young local people, open all year and caring for their customers."
Opposing the plans, one resident said: "Sideshore was originally determined as an open access public space with a small footprint for retail/ food huts. This planning application does not conform to that original intention as it changes the external seating to a permanent feature and reducing the space for pedestrian traffic to and from the highway footpath."