Thread: Don't tell the BiB.They will be doing this next!

From a local paper in the U.K Harbour businesses angry at licence plan





Published Date:
20 August 2009
By Alan Brook
HARBOURSIDE cafe owners are shocked and angry after learning they are to be charged up to £300 a year for a licence to have tables and chairs outside their businesses.(Nearly 20,000 baht.)
They were left fuming after an East Riding of Yorkshire Council's licensing official said they must pay £20 now for a temporary licence to cover them until the end of September and then apply for a 12 months licence which could cost them up to £300.

Failing to pay up would mean their furniture would be removed and they would have to pay to get it back.

They point out their harbourside units are too small to run as sit down cafes and the outdoor space is vital and has been in operation for years as part of the harbour scene which the public love.

The Watti family, have run Rosies Cafe on Harbour Road for the past 15 years.

"Why suddenly do we need a licence after all this time? It is a lot of money, we are already struggling.

"The council rates for this small cafe are around £5,000,(300,000 baht) that is without rent, even though we are only open for six or seven months of the year," said Rim Watti, 24.

Her sister Sara, 27, said: "It doesn't apply to other shops down here who take up as much space with goods outside their shops, only for tables and chairs. Why are we being targeted?"

Their father Richard, 59, said the attitude of the council official was high-handed

"When we asked what would happen if we did not pay the money the man said they would come along with a big white van and take our tables and chairs away and we would have to pay to get them back.

"I do not think even Hitler would have said that. No-one is making a fortune down here, it is wrong," said Mr Watti.

At nearby Tilly's coffee and cake cafe, Nikki Milner, 31, who has only had the business for seven weeks, was livid.

"Are the council trying to ruin what is already a dwindling seaside resort?

We were told the £20 for a temporary licence was a trial for small business owners with external seating.

"Why are they doing it now when people have had seating outside their cafes down here for years?

"It is part of the harbour culture and people love it."

Husband Chris, 34, runs Daisy May's ice cream parlour and coffee shop next door. Between them they pay £6,000 a year in council rates for their tiny shops.

Regular customers Jennifer Jones, 63 and her husband James, 71 of Portland Place, Bridlington, said the council's plan was disgusting.

"We come down here most days, it is lovely to sit outside enjoying a cup of tea in the sun and the people are so friendly," said Mrs Jones who uses a wheelchair.

"It is one of the few places we can park and I can get to a table. Inside the cafe is just too tiny. I think the council is taking these people's living away," she said.

At nearby Havealook fancy goods and gift shop, which is unaffected by the licensing plans, Charlotte Blyth who was looking after the shop for her father Mick said they needed to put stock outside for customers and had done for the past five or six years.:UK http://images.marinas.com/med_res_id/101543

Originally Posted by crippen

"When we asked what would happen if we did not pay the money the man said they would come along with a big white van and take our tables and chairs away and we would have to pay to get them back. "I do not think even Hitler would have said that.

No, Hitler would not say that. Instead, he would've loaded up the complainers in a big white van and taken them to a big black oven. Get real.

Seems like a right royal shakedown.

The locals should band together & defend their property. Beat off the invaders with sticks.

HARBOURSIDE cafe owners are shocked and angry after learning they are to be charged up to £300 a year for a licence to have tables and chairs outside their businesses.

"I think the council is taking these people's living away," she said.

Not saying it's right or wrong, but UP TO 300/year (25/month) is taking peoples living away?? What profits are they making? 26/month?

I know it's not the point, but hyping things up to that point doesn't help their cause. Is it even worth a news story?

>Don't tell the BiB.They will be doing this next!

To be honest, I think the BiB are well up on this. Its my understanding (and I am well prepared to be educated here) that most (if not all) roadside stall holders etc knock back to the local BiB.

Local roadside stalls where I am, and very poor ones at that along a main road pay BiB (bastards in brown) 500 baht a month.

Originally Posted by crazy dog

pay BiB (bastards in brown) 500 baht a month.

What each...?????????????? Robin B'stards...
As you see from our model the ensomble it screams....license to steal you hard earned cash...So tight you can see what religion he is...and no he's not!!!

Here's the Pattaya version..for the out there BIB..

Every Vendor set up in the street or on the walkways is paying off the BiB and here in Phetchabun they even close down streets in the Mkt Area so food vender's can set up in the middle of the street for a 2 block stretch where there are no walkways.

Originally Posted by crippen

Husband Chris, 34, runs Daisy May's ice cream parlour and coffee shop next door. Between them they pay £6,000 a year in council rates for their tiny shops.

so its a 10% rise in the rates.

stop moaning.

Originally Posted by watterinja

Seems like a right royal shakedown.

The locals should band together & defend their property. Beat off the invaders with sticks.

Those whom have the guns....

If they had guns then they would not be having this trouble to start with, silly boys.

Originally Posted by crippen

HARBOURSIDE cafe owners are shocked and angry after learning they are to be charged up to £300 a year for a licence to have tables and chairs outside their businesses.(Nearly 20,000 baht.)

More like B16,500.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Originally Posted by crippen

Husband Chris, 34, runs Daisy May's ice cream parlour and coffee shop next door. Between them they pay £6,000 a year in council rates for their tiny shops.

so its a 10% rise in the rates.

stop moaning.

The rent for the shops is about 12,000 a year,and they only trade for 5 to 6 months.( Its too f.....g cold on the sea front in winter to open!)