Please don't sign this petition. You're not being given the full picture, and Southwark council have been extremely reasonable with the cafe considering the situation. We live next door and it's been a total nightmare. Imagine having thirty people talking over each other outside your window. The cafe has NEVER had planning permission to expand into the rear yard, they just went ahead and did it and then consistently ignored every single planning decision that didn't go in their favour. It used to be a shop before they opened the cafe (without any planning permission or consultation with neighbours about the change of use). Then they expanded into the rear yard, which is surrounded on all sides by flats and totally unsuitable as a public space (no consultation or council permission). Then they started opening until 11pm and holding parties (still no planning permission). At this point it became obvious that it was actually more of a late night bar than a cafe. The council had to take enforcement action to stop what was effectively an unlicensed venue. Then, the "cafe" started making multiple repetitive applications to try and legitimise their status quo. Despite their appalling record of non-compliance they managed to get the cafe permission, then the 11pm permission - but thank God the council drew the line at letting them expand into the rear yard. Now they're pitching this petition as it they're being unfairly victimised. This is beyond a joke. Please don't sign it.
