Much as we love our coffee shops, it’s worth remembering that public support alone is not the only requirement for a successful business.

As with other properties, the planning legislation has to be complied with, to make sure that the use of the premises – whether as a retail outlet, a restaurant, coffee shop or residential premises – needs to be appropriately dealt with.

This is Gloucestershire has recently reported a story of a coffee shop which began to make alterations to their premises without the necessary planning permission being in place upfront.

The problem has arisen on Tewkesbury High Street and apparently Coffee #1 is the coffee shop which has not yet obtained the appropriate consent for changing the use of the premises for use as a coffee shop, nor to alter the shop front.

Coffee #1 is a chain based in Cardiff and the matter is to be considered shortly.

However, the premises opened for business on 23 July. Obviously, until any consent is finalised, the work has been done by the coffee chain at their own risk.

According to reports, locals have lodged objections to the works.

In addition, the council has powers at its disposal to deal with developments which have not been properly authorised.

The council will make their decision on August the 7th.