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Rethink call on cafe axe

7:00pm Tuesday 7th July 2009 in


STRONG messages of support have been sent to a family business in Christchurch after council officers said there was no alternative plans but to extend the town library into a popular high street café.

A letter seen by the Echo, written by Dorset County Council’s head of property management Mike Harries, concluded there is “no practical alternative” to extending the neigh-bouring library into Kelly’s Kitchen.

Terry and Rose Kelly, and thousands of loyal customers who had signed a petition protesting at the plans, were given renewed hope in May when a county planning com-mittee told officers to look again at other ways of extending the library.

But officers who see no other alternative to their long-standing plans say that removing one busi-ness would not affect the viability of the town centre, an issue the Kellys and their supporters dispute.

Leader of Christchurch Borough Council and county councillor Alan Griffiths said: “The loss of a café here is not in Christchurch’s interests during recession.

“I hope the county council will think again and will proceed with the redevelopment behind the library to provide the space needed to give Christchurch the size and quality of library it deserves.”

Bill Dedman, county chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses said: “I am saddened to hear of this. The number of shops on the High Street are diminishing, albeit slowly and it’s ridiculous that the county are even considering this at this time.”

Dorset county councillor and chair-man of planning at Christchurch Borough Council, Cllr David Jones said: “It is my opinion that the county officers are determined to push through the change of use but this will be discussed at the county planning committee on August 7. But I remain to be convinced that the county officers have carried out their mandate given at the last meeting.”

Cllr Jones said that he is trying to get the application to return to Christchurch Borough council’s planning committee in July.

Comments(22)

anderton says...
7:26pm Tue 7 Jul 09

Whats up with all these cafe owners,cant they accept a decision,the kellies knew the conditions and could easely move,6,000 signatures is ridiculous if it was that popular they could afford to move,people sign petitions right left and center,a lot of the signatures probably come from those who have never used the place,i have and it certainly wasnt that special,theres plenty of choice around,dont get fooled by the kelly hype,a lot of locals know the real truth.

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Crank says...
7:30pm Tue 7 Jul 09

It's sad for the lessees that this upsets them so much, but when the library was gifted to the county council in 1946 - a family house to be used as a library - there were calls from the authorities then for it to be used as shops, which were, thankfully, resisted. Kelly's knew they had a limited lease, and are trying to whip up the public to overturn the terms of the lease, and I don't suppose the library is permitted to do the same and wage a strong battle including stands outside with petitions, to show how many support the library service: learning rather than sipping. I am really tired of Kelly's Kitchen's obduracy. I am beginning to think they are fighting for the sake of it. Please leave off. Please allow us to reclaim the let cafe for library use.

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fed the ducks says...
8:59pm Tue 7 Jul 09

at long last a decision has been made Mr & Mrs kelly you need to move out and move on with all these loyal customers you have i am sure they will follow you wherever you end up

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Ganmor says...
9:01pm Tue 7 Jul 09

With all the empty properties, it would not take a genius to relocate the business.

It has unfortunately not been a decision that the Kelly's wanted to consider.

We have heard a lot from Rose, but why should she always get her way, extend the Library, it will be needed far longer than old Rose Kelly.

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thesyrup1 says...
9:23pm Tue 7 Jul 09

I have only ever used Kellys Kitchen once, and that was a few weeks ago. I found it fairly expensive, the food was mediocre, mostly frozen food heated up in a microwave. The service was ok, but that might have been because the place was nearly empty. From what I understand, the Kellys leased the building, and now that lease is up. If that is the case, then that is just tough luck on them. They surely knew what the lease said when they signed it? As others have stated. If you have such a loyal following, then open up somewhere else, im sure your "loyal" customers will stay by you. As for Christchurch Council coming out on your side, that means nothing. They are trying to show what wonderful people they are, and how they back the locals, but only ever do it when the final decision has nothing to do with them. They can then be seen as the "good guys", and the County Council as the baddies.

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veggie one says...
10:07pm Tue 7 Jul 09

and the saga goes on and on,please please dorset and christchurch councils remove this greasy spoon from its present location,i am sure there must be some spare land at stoney lane sewage works for this type of food outlet,

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manana says...
7:21am Wed 8 Jul 09

veggie one wrote:
and the saga goes on and on,please please dorset and christchurch councils remove this greasy spoon from its present location,i am sure there must be some spare land at stoney lane sewage works for this type of food outlet,
Hear hear!

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retired lady says...
8:35am Wed 8 Jul 09

There are lots of eateries in Christchurch - why do we need one that sells sub standard food and takes up half the pavement area doing it?

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beachhut says...
9:30am Wed 8 Jul 09

Well not much support hear then. Now I think a change of tack is in order. The council will take over the location, thats a banker, but they will also look to enhance the venue into a similar venue as other book shops. They will no doubt want a coffee shop etc inhouse so tal to them. You retain a location and loyal following, and the library receive a further 6k potential clients. Done deal!!!!

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Crank says...
10:01am Wed 8 Jul 09

beachhut wrote:
Well not much support hear then. Now I think a change of tack is in order. The council will take over the location, thats a banker, but they will also look to enhance the venue into a similar venue as other book shops. They will no doubt want a coffee shop etc inhouse so tal to them. You retain a location and loyal following, and the library receive a further 6k potential clients. Done deal!!!!
The County Council OWNS the place. It is not required as a bookshop but a library, and in particular, for extra computer space. The last thing a library should be is a teashop! Can you imagine trying to think in a place crowded out with clattering crockery and chattering and laughing consumers? Mad!

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Fightingback says...
10:36am Wed 8 Jul 09

Most people are missing an essential point - we do not need a larger library.

More to the point, we cannot afford one.

The country is technically bankrupt. We have spent beyond our means.

Spending on hospitals is more important - not to mention proper equipment for the soldiers risking their lives in Afghanistan.

I for one will not pay another penny in increased taxes for them to be spent extending a facility that is far from crowded whenever I go there.

At least the restaurant contributes to the tax coffer rather than empties it.

Wake up Christchurch and smell the coffee!

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makingtime says...
11:37am Wed 8 Jul 09

I bet other Christchurch businesses would love all this free publicity! Promote a worthy business, not a 70s' throwback that is long past its best-before date.

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golo@deancourt1949 says...
1:46pm Wed 8 Jul 09

I have read the above comments and consider there is a somewhat imbalance. I should like to ask all those that read and comment on the Kellys Kichen v. an extended Library to answer a question. Thousands of signatures/comments have been forthcoming regarding Kellys Kichen; has such a survey been considered by those supporting the Library i.e. a petition signed by those users that actually USE the Library as opposed to officials offering alternatives? Just an different viewpoint.

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Fightingback says...
4:31pm Wed 8 Jul 09

I do use the library - usually about 3 times a week that's how I know an extension is not necessary or a priority.

If anyone signing a petition to extend the library had to agree to an increase in tax to pay for it then it's obvious it wouldn't get 1 person signing.

I dont use Kelly's Kitchen but at least the staff are running a business that makes a profit and contributes to the local economy. And don't forget their suppliers too.

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fed the ducks says...
7:48am Thu 9 Jul 09

fighting back i would pay an increase in tax to get a decent library so you are wrong you would get at least 1 to sign

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spikejrt says...
12:22pm Thu 9 Jul 09

Are we still going on about this? The business had a lease, which has expired and now they must move on. This happens in every town and city up and down the country... What's the big deal? If the business is so popular then they will do just as well in another location in the town.

Can we please start talking about something else in the Echo!?

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Fightingback says...
1:30pm Thu 9 Jul 09

fed the ducks, you miss the point. The library is already decent and we do not have the money to keep our existing services let alone increase our costs and expand.

If this recession continues, we will all be eating the ducks on the quay!


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anderton says...
4:18pm Thu 9 Jul 09

spikejrt wrote:
Are we still going on about this? The business had a lease, which has expired and now they must move on. This happens in every town and city up and down the country... What's the big deal? If the business is so popular then they will do just as well in another location in the town.

Can we please start talking about something else in the Echo!?
Dead right,no sympathy at all with them.

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fed the ducks says...
7:15pm Thu 9 Jul 09

dear fightingback if this recession continues why on earth would we waste our hard earned money in an expensive restaurant????? as for this issue i have had enough a lease is a lease and when the lease expires the occupants must move out

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richw says...
9:39pm Thu 9 Jul 09

Go away smelly Kelly's. Take your substandard food and substandard hygiene elsewhere. Stop paying the Echo to give you publicity and just go away. There is an empty unit in a street in the Gorbals of Glasgow which you are more suited to....go there.

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Grumpy Griff says...
10:35am Fri 10 Jul 09

Regardless of whether Kelly's should move or not, we don't need a bigger library in Christchurch simple as that!!

Whenever I have ever been in there there is only ever a handful of people in there.

Waste of money, time and effort. Ridiculous.

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pedro66 says...
5:40pm Sat 11 Jul 09

we regularly go for breakfast or brunch in Christchurch but we gave up going to Kellys ages ago - there are several better alternatives ni Christchurch.
For gawds sake - GO!

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