Published: Friday, 2nd May, 2008 12:00
Coffee 'Stopped' by local councillors
By David Knox
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An artist's impression of how the Peebles Coffee Stop Cafe would look.
A FULL roast row erupted to prevent a landmark High Street building in Peebles being converted into a café.
Councillors this week clashed over a bid to turn the former Veitch’s clothing store into cappuccino corner.
And chairman of Tweeddale Area Committee Graham Garvie blocked the bean bid by using his casting vote.
Development firm Thompson’s Scotland had wanted a change of use for the 120 year-old building, at the corner of High Street and Northgate, from class 1-retailing to a class 3 use for supplying food and drink.
And they attracted 29 objections from locals over their plans to bring the Coffee Stop chain to town.
During a heated meeting Councillor Garvie blasted: “We have to protect this gem.
“This is the third most prominent building on Scotland’s best high street.”
Thompson’s Scotland claimed that the offer from Pentland Foods, who own the Coffee Stop chain, was the only interest they’ve had since taking over the former clothing shop last year.
And the attempt to turn the ground floor into a specialist coffee and patisserie outlet was backed by the building’s former owner Robert Veitch.
He wrote: “The business will be a refreshing change of use, restoring the elegance and insuring the vibrancy returns to this important High Street building.”
But it also attracted a full blend backlash from other traders,
local campaigners and the town’s community council.
And claims that the building was no longer a viable location for class 1-retail were rubbished.
Tweeddale councillor Catriona Bhatia said: “They seem to be considering national chains and I understand that local businesses are not being entertained.
“It is strange that Veitch’s is not suitable for retail use as it done fine for over 120 years.”
Councillors Bhatia and Gavin Logan moved to refuse the bid.
But they didn’t find any support from their fellow members of Tweeddale Area Committee.
Councillor Bill Herd said: “I am told that a change will kill trade at other businesses but this isn’t the case in other towns.
“I’d rather it became a café than sat empty for 10 years.”
And fellow member Willie Archibald added: “Our business is not protecting coffee shops that are already in Peebles.”
A tied vote saw Councillor Garvie exercise his chairman’s right to move against the bid.
A spokesman for developers Thompson’s Scotland said: “Naturally, we are extremely disappointed by the decision of the Tweeddale Area Committee to overturn the Scottish Borders Council Planning Department's recommendation and refuse the application for a change of use to allow the introduction of a Scottish based quality coffee shop in the historic Veitch's building.
“It is particularly disappointing given that we entered into lengthy discussions with officers to ensure the proposal protected the historic nature of the building.
“And we submitted extensive evidence to demonstrate that the change of use would not adversely impact on the vitality and viability of the town.
“We believe that the proposed outlet would enhance the appeal of Peebles to tourists and locals alike and aid the development of a strong independent retailing and cafe society atmosphere in the town, as is now becoming prevalent in successful Scottish tourist locations.
“An iconic building like Veitch's should be accessible to the public in a manner that enhances the vibrancy of the town centre and we firmly believe that our proposal achieves this.”
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