US chain opens new Scottish venue despite planning rejection
Blank Street Coffee opened its second Glasgow premises, on the corner of Byres Road and Ruthven Street in the city's west end, earlier this week, despite council planners turning down an application last month.
Enforcement officers at Glasgow City Council are aware of the situation and the company could be forced to close the coffee shop if found to be open without the required approval.
But a spokesperson for the chain said it is currently operating 'under the previous tenant's use' — which differs from the use requested in its recent planning application.
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The unit was previously home to a Greggs store and Blank Street has kept its grey exterior, rather than the green it had proposed to the council.
It is possible the venue could serve customers under the existing class 1A use, which can allow the sale of cold food.
The application rejected last month was to change the Byres Road premises to class 3 use, which is for the sale of food or drink for consumption on the premises. That use would be needed to sell hot food.
In a statement, the company said: 'As with all its stores, Blank Street has planning and necessary permissions for the intended use of the Byres Road store in Glasgow.
'Blank Street is rightfully operating under the previous tenant's use, and we look forward to welcoming customers in the coming weeks and months.'
The venue appears to be selling drinks, such as coffee and matcha, as well as pastries and cookies. Customers have been queuing out the door to try it.
Applicants have a three-month period in which to appeal against a decision to refuse permission. An appeal would go before councillors on the city's planning review committee for consideration.
It is unlikely any enforcement action would be taken until an appeal is rejected or the three months have passed, it is understood.
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Planners refused the application as they said a change to class 3 use would 'result in 44.4% of the units within the street block in non-class 1A' use, which would 'erode the retail character' of the area to 'the detriment of its vitality and viability'.
Officials also said the firm had not demonstrated the property had been 'appropriately marketed' for class 1A use for a minimum of 12 months, and that the marketing had been 'unsuccessful'.
They believed extract vents below neighbouring flats would 'adversely affect the wellbeing and amenity of the residents' on the upper floors of the tenements.
The rejection letter added the proposal failed to 'provide an active frontage to Ruthven Street'. A proposal to install an illuminated sign was also rejected.
Blank Street Coffee opened its first Glasgow venue on Gordon Street in the city centre last month.
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