Mr George Abuaita,

Pioneers Ltd,

43 Bakers Lane,

Three Spires Shopping Centre,

Lichfield,

WS13 6NG.

20 November 2017.

Dear Sir,

Re: Planning application – Costa Coffee, Main Street, Dickens Heath.

I refer to your recent planning application, ref. PL/2017/02955/PPFL to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council for a change of use of premises at 15 Main Street from a photographic studio to a Coffee shop.

I am a ward councillor for Blythe ward in Solihull and Dickens Heath is within my ward.

I have concerns about the application, especially because of the number of existing refreshment type establishments already operating on Main Street. You may be aware that establishments such as ‘Morton’s’ and ‘The Chalice’, are not only licensed premises but also provide light refreshments; coffee, tea and light meals (snacks). There is also a thriving Italian restaurant (Giovanni’s), a take away Costa Coffee operating in Tesco Express, as well as an Asian restaurant. In addition, directly opposite to your proposed site is the independent trading coffee shop ‘Coffee Cloud’. I feel many would agree there is an oversupply of coffee shops for residents of Dickens Heath or any casual visitor. I therefore contend that another establishment is not sustainable, either for any new trader for this type or the existing traders.

You may also be aware of a large Costa Coffee store operating nearby on Stratford Road. This is facility is about 1.5 miles from Dickens Heath.

I urge you to withdraw your application for Main Street, Dickens Heath and seek another location. Nearby Tidbury Green, Cheswick Green and Wythall do not have coffee shops and they may offer better locations. In addition, the new developments at Fore Business Park, Stratford Road may be an ideal location because of the numbers of offices being built there; the recent addition of a Java Coffee Lounge on Blythe Valley Park has been well received. All these location are within my ward and I doubt there would be strong opposition to a coffee shop application.

My intentions are well meant and I wish to help shape sustainable businesses in my ward. I a fearful of the consequences if a main player such as Costa Coffee moves into a small ‘High Street’ and damages the status quo, possibly rendering some existing traders to lay off staff, or indeed close.

I am more than willing to discuss the application with you.

Yours sincerely,

Blythe Ward Councillor.

Cc. Mr Kamlesh Singh,