Despite Emma’s efforts, Dorset Council rejected her bid for retrospective planning permission in February, and a subsequent appeal has now been dismissed, leaving her without recourse. Emma voiced her frustration, highlighting the stress of battling weekly uncertainties about her business’s fate. The abrupt closure, especially on the cusp of the holiday season, compelled her to make the painful decision to let go of eight staff members, some of whom have children or are students.
Emma ridiculed the complaints as ‘ridiculous,’ questioning the feasibility of addressing concerns about the smell of bacon. She pointed out that the wind mostly blew in the opposite direction, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation. Criticizing the council for not supporting small businesses, she lamented the impact on the community that frequented the cafe daily.
