A MT Hawthorn cafe owner has pleaded to Vincent council to allow more customers so she does not have to keep turning them away.
Dejaxo co-owner Kate Nebbs spoke to City of Vincent council ahead of the September 12 briefing session on her application for a patron limit increase from 14 to 35.
Council previously rejected an application to increase to 40, which was also met with resistance from nearby residents and business owners who had parking and noise concerns.
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READ NOWMrs Nebbs said the 14 person limit was not enough.
“It’s very distressing as a business owner to have to turn away people on a regular basis, particularly if these people have often walked down …we think that many of them won’t return,” she said.
“The support we’ve received (for the application) is tangible.
“We have a petition, submitted, with over 1200 signatures, 65 per cent of which reside in the City of Vincent .
“There are over 70 written submissions in support of our application during the advertising period.”
Mrs Nebbs countered parking concerns with results of an in-house survey that found 43 per cent of customers walked there.
She said the owners were “very quick to respond” to concerns by completing management plans and complying with requests.
“Some adversely affect our ability to run the business smoothly, however we are aware that being a welcome part of the community requires compromise, which is why we continue to be co-operative,” she said.
Mrs Nebbs stressed that 20 extra people did not necessarily mean 20 extra cars parked outside.
Vincent council is set to decide on the new application at its September 19 meeting.
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