Sunshine
02-12-2008, 07:43 PM
Hello All
I have a small b&b in Penzance, and last summer was offering cream teas and snacks to my guests and passers by.
A few days later, after a neighbour had contacted the local council, I received a letter saying that I was to cease serving cream teas as I did not have the relevant permissions, and that I needed to apply for change of use to the property to be able to serve food.
I arranged a meeting at the property with the planning officers and even though it can be seen as an ancillary use of the property, they warned me that no more than 6 passers by would be able to take advantage of the service I was providing. I was also threatened with them contacting inland revenue and environmental health (not that that would of been a problem).
The operation was so small scale, and only offered on a seasonal basis, that I thought this attitude was completely over the top, and have ceased serving any cream teas etc until I take further advice. What is completely laughable is that many b&b's and other businesses offer this service, and I know they have not had to change the use of their premises.
As a further note. On the "Hotel Inspector" one b&b in Bournemouth was encouraged to open a cafe by the inspector, which they duly did. This was a full on cafe, serving hot and cold food. I contacted Bournemouth council, and they told me that the b&b didnt have to apply for a change of use to the premises because it was ancillary use of the property!
Just wondered any ones thoughts on this, or has it happened to themselves.
I have a small b&b in Penzance, and last summer was offering cream teas and snacks to my guests and passers by.
A few days later, after a neighbour had contacted the local council, I received a letter saying that I was to cease serving cream teas as I did not have the relevant permissions, and that I needed to apply for change of use to the property to be able to serve food.
I arranged a meeting at the property with the planning officers and even though it can be seen as an ancillary use of the property, they warned me that no more than 6 passers by would be able to take advantage of the service I was providing. I was also threatened with them contacting inland revenue and environmental health (not that that would of been a problem).
The operation was so small scale, and only offered on a seasonal basis, that I thought this attitude was completely over the top, and have ceased serving any cream teas etc until I take further advice. What is completely laughable is that many b&b's and other businesses offer this service, and I know they have not had to change the use of their premises.
As a further note. On the "Hotel Inspector" one b&b in Bournemouth was encouraged to open a cafe by the inspector, which they duly did. This was a full on cafe, serving hot and cold food. I contacted Bournemouth council, and they told me that the b&b didnt have to apply for a change of use to the premises because it was ancillary use of the property!
Just wondered any ones thoughts on this, or has it happened to themselves.