A cafe in Weymouth, England, was forced to close its doors just weeks before Christmas after neighbors complained about a disturbing “clinking of tea cups” and “the smell of bacon.”
“It's ridiculous to complain about the smell of bacon. And 90% of the time the wind is blowing on the other side of the house! exclaimed owner Emma Ayles to The Telegraph on Thursday. And what do they want us to use chocolate cups so they don’t make noise?”
A few weeks before the holidays, the 47-year-old had to decide to send her eight employees onto the streets after the authorities decided to close the Caddy Shack cafe because they considered it to be “unacceptable damage.” According to British media, the living conditions of his neighbors.
The cafe, which consisted of a metal container converted into a restaurant, was relocated to the rugby club in the port city of Weymouth in southern England in April 2022. Due to its popularity, the owner initiated steps to make it permanent.
But in October last year, three residents reportedly complained about “noise and smell” about the facility, citing the clinking of teacups and the smell of bacon as the main causes. This went so far that the woman's application for permanent employment was refused.
And on Saturday, her request to appeal the case ended in denial, forcing the woman to permanently close her business.
“It's just before Christmas and I had to lay off eight employees. You have children or are students […] The council should support small businesses instead of supporting the ridiculous complaints of three local residents,” sighed Emma Ayles, according to The Telegraph.
For Weymouth and Portland Rugby and Football Club president Anthony Goss, the city council's decision is “sad for small businesses trying to survive in a difficult economic climate”.
“We are disappointed with the decision and the impact it will have on the region, not only on the players and their families, but also on the community,” he told British media.