Clifton? Thanks, but no thanks ... we're off somewhere more friendly
A RESTAURANT owner planning to move his business out of Clifton Village has launched a scathing attack on the area's conservation and traders' organisations.
Toby Bywater, pictured, who runs Zazu's Kitchen, has accused Clifton Traders' Association Clifton and the Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society of failing to support his restaurant.
The 38-year-old will relocate his eatery from The Mall to Gloucester Road, Bishopston, later this month after trading in Clifton Village for just six months.
He fired a parting shot at the two associations in a farewell message to his customers written on a chalkboard outside his premises.
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In the sarcastic message, he said: "Special thanks to CHIS for their undying condemnation. Feel free to fossilise Clifton Village in your own image...and to the Clifton Traders' Association for their non-support, congrats on another empty site."
The former Raymond Blanc front-of-house employee said the groups were against his business from the outset because he did not have planning permission in place to open a restaurant.
However, Mr Bywater believes he was legally allowed to trade as a bring-your-own restaurant in the former coffee shop because he had lodged a planning application for a change of use with Bristol City Council.
He said although the application was refused, he was entitled to continue trading as a restaurant because he had lodged an appeal.
Mr Bywater said that although he felt let down by the organisations, he said other traders and customers were highly supportive of the restaurant.
"Before we had moved in, the Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society had circulated a letter saying we had operated unlawfully," said the restaurateur.
"They gave the letter to the traders' association and other traders, and seemed to be trying to drum us out.
"The council said we weren't trading illegally. They seemed to be trying to turn people against us. It was quite pathetic to be honest."
Mr Bywater said his new restaurant in Bishopston would open on May 17.
He said: "It's a real shame we are moving and I don't want to move but we have an amazing new site, which is larger. Our site here is a bit too small and we are a bit too popular for it. If I find another site in Clifton I won't hesitate to take it."
Mr Bywater believes he was refused permission for a change of use to a restaurant because there were already enough licensed premises operating in the area, which has been designated a cumulative impact zone.
Rosemary Musgrave, the improvement society's secretary, said the group was acting in the area's best interests.
She said: "The business was acting unlawfully. It's a cumulative impact area and A3 licences (for restaurants) are not usually granted without special reasons. There are residential properties directly behind the restaurant and they have been quite affected by the noise and the kitchen."
Tony Miles, chairman of the traders' association, said Mr Bywater had never approached him for support.
He said: "Clifton welcomes anyone who opens a business with the right planning permission. It has to be a fair playing field for everyone.
"You can't open up and then apply for permission because it doesn't give anyone the chance to object. He's never come to the traders' association for support and we haven't written a letter of objection. How can I support someone who doesn't have any planning permission?"
Comments
by dannyg187
Tuesday, May 15 2012, 4:18PM
“@ knowlsey1962 - A very true and well constructed comment. We at Gordons (http://tinyurl.com/c44g2mq) are the ingoing tenants of this property and having been through planning consent with our other sites Mr Bywater is indeed correct and you rightly pointed out. We however have already started speaking to the local groups to get on the right side of them and gain their support. We are going to be very different for the area and whilst we hold our main base a takeaway in st george a success. The cuisine will be far different for this bistro as we put a modern and contemporary twist on caribbean food. The local support is key and we will ensure we do all we can to gain this going forward.”
by DennisB2012
Friday, May 11 2012, 8:58PM
“I could have sworn that I posted a comment on this site - comparing this with actions by Costa.
What has happened to it?
Are we being edited by the (E)P?
And if so - why?”
by torysarecool
Friday, May 11 2012, 8:46PM
“Running a shop front business like a restaurant, bar or coffee shop in Clifton must be absolutely horrific. Your customers are either posers, rude snobs, irritating 'proud to be the best because I've got the most expensive pram' mothers or drunk students and chavs.
Good on him for lasting as long as he did and good luck on Gloucester Road. I'm sure it will be a far more fitting location.”
by Sashalu
Friday, May 11 2012, 8:35PM
“What a dreadful shame! We've eaten at Zazu's Kitchen in Clifton and thought it a delightful place. We're very sad that it's going to move away.”
by John_Name
Friday, May 11 2012, 2:09PM
“I used to have breakfast in Zazu sometimes, when it was in Stokes Croft. Always very good.”
by knowlsey1962
Friday, May 11 2012, 10:59AM
“I believe Mr Bywater is correct and CHIPS spokesperson was wrong about any law being broken. The majority of planning rules are guidance based and not actually law. Unless you do something drastic like pull down a listed building then it is unlikely you have broken any laws. So Mr Bywater took a calculated risk applying for retrospective planning permission and then appealing against the local council decision.
However I don't really have any sympathy with him - if he wanted the support of the local community he should've worked at it, contacted relevant community groups etc”
by Waybaloo
Friday, May 11 2012, 10:53AM
“Just to clarify some comments on the "No to Zazu on Stokes Croft" quips.
The fact is that Zazu originally started up i Stokes Croft where it was greatly received, it then shut up and moved out to Clifton for personal reasons , Im sure Stokes Croft would welcome it back.”
by MrBlobbyBlob
Friday, May 11 2012, 12:55AM
“OPen a Squat Cafe; That'll shut them up.... then again maybe not”
by collegefields
Thursday, May 10 2012, 9:33PM
“we saw you coming !!”
by BishopstonMan
Thursday, May 10 2012, 5:33PM
“SamSamson,
"The council said we weren't trading illegally"
If this claim from Mr Bywater is true it suggests that snooty Clifton Traders were trying to drive out the upstart from Stokes Croft and maybe objecting to the planning permission too. Perhaps existing cafes and resturants couldn't handle the competition? Groups like CHIS and CTA can be very cliquey too especially in places like Clifton. If Mr Bywater's claim is false why was he not shut down by the council. The fact he wasn't suggests Mr Bywater's claim is true.”