It all started with a few seemingly innocuous complaints – the faint clinking of teacups and the faint smell of sizzling bacon.
But what began as minor complaints quickly turned into something far more dramatic, culminating in the sudden closure of a popular community cafe. Some wonder if there is more to the story.
Were these complaints really about noise and smell, or was there a hidden agenda at play? The sudden decision to close the Caddy Shack Cafe, a popular hangout spot, has many locals raising eyebrows and questioning the motives behind the closure.
In an unexpected turn of events, complaints from three neighbors about the cafe’s operation led to owner Emma Ayles being forced to close her doors and lay off eight staff. The planning staff were very reticent about the complaints, which mostly concerned the sound of clinking cups and the smell of bacon. Mother-of-two Emma Ayles, 47, has opened up about how devastated she was when she lost her company due to an unforeseen shutdown just before Christmas.
Caddy Shack Cafe, a well-known business owned by Emma, ​​is causing “unacceptable harm” to the living conditions of nearby residents, which regulators say is causing a problem. In April 2022, Emma opened a cafe by transforming a metal shipping container into a quirky space in partnership with Portland Rugby Club in Dorset and Weymouth. Initially, the rugby club granted her permission to operate temporarily on their land while she sought permanent planning permission for the cafe.
The cafe soon became a community favorite, attracting walkers, neighborhood kids, and disabled people on scooters. It functioned as a meeting place for several organizations, fostering a sense of belonging and making everyone feel welcome.
But in October 2022, three nearby houses complained about the “noise and smell” coming from the cafe disturbing the peace. As a result of these allegations, Emma’s application for retrospective planning permission was refused by Dorset Council in February. Her appeal was then dismissed, leaving her with no other option.
“It was a constant struggle and so stressful that I wondered if the business would be open every week,” Emma said, showing her frustration. “And then on Saturday, I was ordered to close the next day. Just before Christmas, I had to lay off eight employees who were either students or had children. We had a nasty conversation with them and no one knows why they decided to cut us off. Everyone is taken aback.’
The sounds of “spoons and cups” and the “smell of bacon” were reported as sources of disturbance. Emma found these arguments absurd and pointed out that any smell of bacon usually drifted away from the complainants’ house in the direction of the prevailing wind. “What do they want us to use chocolate cups to make no sound?” she joked and laughed.
Emma expressed her disagreement with the council’s decision and her concern for people in the community who frequented her cafe, such as Wyvern School students and disabled people who can use mobility scooters there. Focusing on the impact on her loyal clientele, she said: “I just feel bad for the community because groups used to meet at the cafe every day.”
Weymouth and Portland Rugby Club appealed against the planning decision, expressing displeasure at the impact the decision would have on the players and the surrounding community. Club chairman Anthony Goss thanked the cafe’s loyal patrons for their support and highlighted the difficulties facing small businesses in a difficult economic environment.
The decision to close the cafe caused an uproar on social media, with many people saying they were shocked by the complaints and measures taken in response.
While some social media users, such as Jon Fells, spoke well of the cafe and lamented its demise, others, such as Kati Eastwood, cynically recorded complaints about the noise of teacups and the smell of bacon.
The divisive episode raised questions about how best to strike a balance between helping small businesses in the community and caring for the needs of individuals. It is unclear whether the decision to close the Caddy Shack Cafe will be reconsidered or if any further steps will be taken to address the issue.Â
The closure of The Caddy Shack Cafe has left the community on edge and highlighted the tensions that can arise between local businesses and neighboring residents. While Emma Ayles and her supporters remain heartbroken at the loss of the popular hangout, noise and odor complaints highlight the delicate balance that must be struck between running a business and keeping the neighborhood peaceful.
As the debate over the fate of the coffee shop continues to fuel in-person and online discussions, it raises further questions about the support systems available to small businesses facing bureaucratic hurdles. Whether a solution will emerge that satisfies all parties remains uncertain, but what is clear is the profound impact this decision had on a community that valued local coffee shops as more than just a place to eat—a symbol of connection, comfort, and belonging.