Wine bar facing bankruptcy over red tape
Wednesday 26th May 2010, 6:00AM BST.
A Shrewsbury wine bar owner claims he is facing bankruptcy because red tape is stopping customers drinking outside his venue.
Ashley Davies, the owner of Ashley’s Bar, in Shoplatch, said he had submitted plans for an outdoor seating area following a pledge from Shropshire Council to reduce bureaucracy to help create more of a “cafe culture” in the town.
He said: “I’m having loads of trouble, I’ve been getting letters from the council saying the application will be reviewed on June 3 and if I serve alcohol for people to take outside I could go to prison or get a £20,000 fine.
“They said they were getting rid of red tape but this is horrendous, they’re making it impossible. I’ve spent a fortune and I’m on the verge of going bankrupt.”
He added: “The application was all going to go through after 21 days but because the Town Centre Residents Association has put a complaint in it will take even longer.”
Dr Alan Shrank, licensing spokesman for Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Association, said the organisation was not against outside seating but thought the number of tables outside should be four and not five.
Andy Goldsmith, from Shropshire Council, said: “We are currently looking at ways in which we can streamline the process for businesses seeking to provide pavement cafes, not deregulate it.”
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So why not go ahead and license him for four tables and say further seating is under review?
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I wonder what the Rsidents Association want for the town – strikes me they would be happy to see it stagnate and evetually die as they seem to object and put obstacles to any hint of progress and modernisation.
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‘Four and not five’. I can imagine him sleepless at night, sweatbeads forming, chewing the corner of the sheet just staring up at the ceiling as the image of an extra unregulated table churns over in his mind.
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Why should a bar owner be allowed to do just as he pleases? The council is dealing with the application in the correct manner and considering the interests of everybody rather than just the food and drink mafia who seem to think they are so important.
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The residents association has been active in the strangulation of the town centre for years. Complaints of noise from venues playing music, especially on summer nights when venues were told to close windows.
Surely the residents realise that town centre living requires a different approach to surroundings. Businesses, of any sort, need to flourish and not be impeded. It would be different if the venue was in the middle of a housing estate but the town has had business taking place for many many years.
Residents had full knowledge that they were moving into a town centre environment and should have expected businesses to change with the trends.
The cafe idea is excellent, especially for daytime trade. Too much trade has left the town to go to the outlying shopping areas and superstores.
The town is dying and the residents are helping it on its way.
My thinking is that if residents can’t adapt then they should move to one of the aforementioned housing areas.
Let the town breathe
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I totally agree with Roger that STCRA appear to be intent on ruining everyone’s enjoyment in the town centre.
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good way to get your self free publicity in the paper!
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The Town Centre Residents Association’s answer to everything seems to be ‘no’ now what was the question? What possible difference can one more table make?
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Firstly how is the council not allowing a business to have 4 or 5 tables in use going to cause them to go bankrupt? Surely there are other issues?
Secondly if you live in a town centre you must understand that people will make noise, and businesses will want to develop.
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Search Dr Alan Shrank on the Shropshire Star website and you will soon see that he has attempted to block every bid to improve Shrewsbury, from the numbers of tables out side a cafe/bar ( whats all that about ) to controling the noise levels of Quarry concerts. He even had the gall to try and blame Tesco for destroying town centre trade when he plays his time consuming games to entertain himself at the expense on anyone attempting to earn an honest living.
This self appointed ” spokesman ” is a regular reader of the Shropshire Star as he writes enough letters ( complaining about stuff ) and doesn’t even have enough respect for other people to come on this comments site and explain his actions..
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Totally agree with Spencer. Maybe we should try and invent a time-machine and send the STCRA back to the 19th century where they would be happy.
It strikes me that the STRCA have over-inflated egos, delusions of grandeur and are pedantic to say the least…”the number of tables should be four not five”, for goodness sake!
Live and let live is something they cannot grasp.
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The Residents Association have too much power. It is laughable that they should even be involved in this decision. If Shrewsbury manages to develop a cafe culture it will be an enormous benefit to the town.
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Town centre residents association strikes again
Beggers belief
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id like more cafe culture (in the summer at least!!) not sure it would be suited to uk weather in winter anyway
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Dr. Shrank strikes again – is there no end to this man’s powers to eradicate public entertainment and enjoyment?
4 tables, 5 tables, who cares as long as there’s the room and no obstruction is caused to pedestrians? Don’t see what it’s got to do with residents anyway unless they live next door to the establishment.
And as for red tape, what would anyone at the council do for a living if it wasn’t for red tape I wonder?
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@ Port Hill Boy, he’s not ‘doing as he pleases’ that’s why he has to submit planning, do you understand that? Also, substitute ‘food and drink mafia’ for Town Centre Residents Association and the rest of your comment would probably be correct.
This really is getting beyond a joke now. I suggest somebody forms a facebook group called something like ‘everytime the TCRA objects to a planning application, lets send a communication supporting the application’. At the same time, we could also accuse the TCRA of being a bunch of self-important busy-bodies who waste everybodys time and money via their selfish pursuit of some kind of deathly quiet shop-filled utopia’.
I reckon we could get quite a few members….
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do it then!
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I agree. Set it up, I’ll join.
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http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123633261001431
Please have a look.
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That fifth table is probably the thin end of the wedge(of gateau?),tip of the iceberg (cool drink?) or slippery slope (cup of tea?)
Like the 2010 architecture that might blight the town, or the baskets of flowers despoiling the immaculate Georgian facades and the louder modern music offending the townsfolk.
Is it a step too far to offer a statue of the fifth table for the fourth plinth as an example of why retirement can be bad for the nation?
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Zappa – sorry but this town is selling itself on foodie “attractions” . Pretentious and self indulgent foodies that appeal to the middle clases alone are undermining the real Shrewsbury.
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what is the real Shrewsbury!
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The joke is that many of the “middle classes” in this town do not support and help local businesses. They have this obession with being seen and nothing else
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4 or 5 tables, wow what a dilema! Can it really be that much of an issue? Surely there must be better things for them to be arguing about, what would have happened if a 6th table was applied for?!
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My comment just posted on the TCRA website (http://www.2shrop.net/stcra):-
Hi there!
Would just like to say that I’ve been reading the recent articles in the Shropshire Star regarding your various objections to anyone who wants to do anything involving ‘entertainment’ in the town.
Having also read the numerous comments, it would seem that you don’t represent many people in the town centre at all. In fact, it would seem that most people view your petty little organisation as a platform for any self-styled nosey, interfering nimby, killjoy, to object to the slightest minor planning application. Increasing the number of tables outside a cafe from four to five? Are you for real?
Anyway, I just wanted to ask, if you all want a quiet retirement, why do you live in a town centre?
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A wine bar, being a business cannot face Bankruptcy. The business may face becoming insolvent, and accordingly going into Liquidation or Administration.
Some interesting points made. I can’t imagine cafe culture, to use the cliched phrase, particularly catching on at that particular location. The overwhelming majority of punters are not likely to want to sit on the corner of Shoplatch sniffing up bus fumes, watching the boy racers in souped up Corsas whizzing down the cobbles!
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I wouldn’t be surprised if you are a member of the STCRA, based upon your comment and it’s reference to bus fumes and boy racers!
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Moan moan moan
dont like it set up shop in Telford, there’s red tape in SY1 because its a precious conservation zone, not far off a UNESCO site in terms of architecture etc, it needs protecting and no one wants laissez faire deregulation of anything, remember what happened to our bankS!? i think the chap from the council says it all, spot on, its goodd to stream line but thats not a free for all with zero rules and regs
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“Dr Alan Shrank, licensing spokesman for Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Association, said the organisation was not against outside seating but thought the number of tables outside should be four and not five.”
That’s not a constructive objection. That’s called putting a spanner in the works. It’s a sly, devious and spiteful tactic.
After it’s gone through the mill again and it’s finally agreed that four tables are okay, another “constructive” objection will be lodged – number of seats per table, or the style of the tables, or some other nonsense.
The aim of the game is to make the application so long winded and painful that the proprietor gives up and other businesses with similar ideas will decide it’s too much hassle, so won’t bother at all. TCRA 1 – Shrewsbury 0.
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Dear Dr Shrank,
I would be glad to read a reply from you, on behalf of the STCRA, setting down the details for your objections to this and other applications. Over the last few weeks, we have read about how you wish any Quarry-based events to be limited to such a level of decibels that no self-respecting live band would wish or be able to perform adequately. I, for one would be interested to read and discuss your rationale for such objections. I appreciate that any resident wishes for quiet enjoyment; however I also accept that as I live in Shrewsbury, in reasonable proximity to the Quarry, that for 2 nights of the year, there will be fireworks. I take measured precautions as a parent and pet-owner to minimise the impact on my daughter and pets’ well-being, but otherwise enjoy the show from my garden.
I would think it reasonable for you to take such measures for perhaps the two or three nights when the Quarry is used as a venue for live music, if you did not wish to indulge in a free set from your residence.
Shrewsbury is just a small town in a very rural area. We are not London, or Manchester or Birmingham, with international arenas regularly hosting live events. The shows that have been hosted here are well-attended and to my knowledge, have not culminated in some Baccanalean riot of carnal excesses or wanton destruction. In a time when town centres such as ours’ are literally dying-off from reduced consumer spending, out-of-town competition, non-domestic rates and excessive rents, any opportunity to promote and exploit what few natural benefits we may have should surely be embraced. I for one, would not like to see the town that I love degenerate any more into a line of empty shops, charity shops and chain shops, indistinguishable from any other town anywhere.
Independent outlets, of whatever kind, whether shops or bars, are the lifeblood and character of Shrewsbury. I realy wonder why you feel that a 25% increase in the number of tables outside Ashley’s really constitutes such a threat; after all, that 25% equals just one table.
I sincerely hope that you put forward your reasoning and look forward to reading it.
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I would just like to say I have used ashleys regularly and I think it is a really great place! I think its a shame that other businesses in the town dont follow suit, by which I mean, taking a real interest in how they present themselves, especially the look of the exterior. I think this will really appeal to people visiting our town and we should welcome such changes as these. I really dont know what some peoples problem with this is! I have not noticed it being loud or causing offence and I live very close to the town!!
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sounds to me like the residents association want a lot of derelict buildings falling into disrepair – hmmm, wonder what that will do to their property prices – numpties!
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i suspect this is tabloid headline over exageration again, as he wont go bust but maybe a few hundred quid a year less profit in it, i understand his veiws but this is just sensationalism, poor poor quality journalism at the tabloid star again
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Thanks for your support. Just to point out – again – that the reporter or the sub-editor didn’t make it up, Mr Davies said: “They said they were getting rid of red tape but this is horrendous, they’re making it impossible. I’ve spent a fortune and I’m on the verge of going bankrupt.” Those are his words, and the reporter has made a fair and accurate report based on them.
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very fair and accurate. perhaps the council officers will now be pursuing each bar that has outside seating, after all asleys is not alone.the proud salopian, the shrewsbury hotel,the boathouse, the swan, it would be interesting how many have planning and licensing for their activities. They must treat every one the same. It is very costly applying for changes in consents. Personally i think that there shouldbe an amnesty, and let them continue providing a much appreciated facility. Then offer an inexpensive change of licence/planning which will cover all.
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I’ve no axe to grind on behalf of the TCRA, but this is so obviously an attempt to get some free publicity for his new cafe on the back of the anti residents’ association bandwagon, knowing full well what the reaction from most readers will be. (“They won’t allow Rick Astley to sing in the Quarry at full volume after 11pm? Over-privileged old fogeys!! Kill them all!!”)
It wasn’t long ago that that shop was an estate agents. His cafe has barely been open five minutes. If creating an outdoor cafe space was so important to his business plan, surely he would have budgetted for the time to go through the “red tape”.
Or does he believe that he has a divine right to clutter up the narrow pavement at Shoplatch with chairs and tables?
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Spot on.
What a poor business plan if a table or two is critical to its success!!
if the product is right then people will use the place. Maybe there just isn’t that much interest in even more foody establishments despite what some people might say.
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absolutely this guy is getting free PR even advertising his coffee brand, thats not right, get this story off the pages and move on now
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What #21 Jake said [That’s not a constructive objection. That’s called putting a spanner in the works. It’s a sly, devious and spiteful tactic.] is absolutely true Chris P and I’m sure had this tactic not been used the owner of Ashleys would not have felt driven to shout to the press about the whole affair.
To add to the long list of supressed projects in the town we had an opportunity to preserve the interior of the church in St Johns Hill when an application to turn it into a high class restaurant was put forward. It was strongly resisted and as a result instead it had to be developed as apartments and the beautiful interior ripped out.This was a sad wasted opportunity.
There were calls for the presbytarian church in Belmont to be demolished because it was 1930s design (despite the claim that the 1930s buildings in the explosion must be preserved) This was rejected by the planners and it is now being converted to apartments.
There is no logic, intelligence or consistency to the TCRA objections and comments except that the town must be if not genuine old, pretend old pastiche, disneylike Victorian/Georgian/Mediaeval and any acknowledgment of the 20 or 21 century suppressed so they can live in a rose- tinted time warp.
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I live in the centre of town and yes i knew i was moving into town life !! and i love it !! I have been here two years and it is a shame to see the town dying ! I belong to no residents association and ashleys should be allowed to flourish !! move on with 4 tables : ) It is why people visit Shrewsbury, to enjoy eating and drinking on nice summer days !! and how many of those do we have ? What the council should be trying to stop is cars driven with music so high and exhausts so loud that you could be forgiven for thinking you are on a race track !! wouldnt be so bad if we were looking at the top end of Ferraris or porsches that make that kind of noise ! but going around in circles in town with blacked out corsas , vw,s and puegeot,s is a nightmare !! come on takle the things that matter ! not the wine bars !! cafes and resturants !
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I’d agree – wine bars, cafes, and restaurants don’t matter!I’m afraid the localo media give far too much coverage to them and their special interest pleading.
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This chap is “trying it on”, if his business success depends on the provision of 4 or 5 tables outside his premises then it could not be very sound for starters. If it is this insecure in summer, what on earth is he going to rely on in the depths of winter when the last thing on anyone’s mind is to sit outside in Shoplatch in bitterly cold driving rain etc. Secondly, why on earth would anyone wish to sit outside in Shoplatch even on a nice warm summers day unless one wishes to take in the hideous architecture of the Market Hall. Le Pigalle, the Champs Elysee or Montmartre it is not. I look with interest, from many aspects, to the future of these premises. On the other hand, I wish him well.
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Please take a look at the facebook group Disenfranchised Shrewsbury Residents.
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You don’t seem to have much of a grasp of the economics of business Stu do you?
Many businesses rely on summer footfall to compensate for less busy periods of the year.
The Shoplatch is as good a part of the town as any bearing in mind the need to get cars out of the town altogether in order to enjoy it’s varied and diverse architectural merits.
There seem to be many people prepared to sit at tables outside Starbucks and look at the cars parked at Sainsbury on the Meole Brace Retail park.
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All empty buildings in Shrewsbury centre seem to be turning in to flats – if businesses keep having to close due to lack of trade and red tape restrictions then the town centre will in fact start to resemble a housing estate (just with prettier buildings and flats not family homes!). Maybe the TCRA would prefer this?? But then seeing as they seem to be made up of the retired generation, they’ll then start complaining that the facilities that they used to be able to walk to no longer exist…!
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I was in the town the other day, and shock, horror tables outside a wine bar so that customers can sit outside enjoying the sunshine and enjoying a coffee whatever is the town coming to.
Personally I have to say I was one of the low life criminals who dared sit there and have a lovely cup of coffee, watching the world go by while enjoying the sunshine.
Hope the police wont be knocking on my door to arrest me.
Ashley’s keep up the good work and I will be coming back for more coffee.
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Why not use four very big tables? It doesn’t say anthing about the size of the tables.
Four boardroom tables would do the trick!
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I believe that the expense of applying for both planning apps. and licensing is very expensive. When Mr Davies was given initial advice he was told he didnt need planning consent, then he was threatened with prosecution, so a solicitor, and an architect had to become involved,as new plans have to be presented, and further local authority fees become necessary. It costs £100′s for these apps. Any apps. cost big money, and any extras due to the poor advice of officers are not budgeted for. so its not the extra table, which makes financial difficulties, its the extra proffessional and license fees. Support local business owned by local people, and stop these spiteful comments , we are all wanting our town to be vibrant day and night.
PS. Best coffee in town!
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