“It deserves our support”: Petition to ‘save’ Cole Kitchen gains close to 5,000 signatures
Written by Isaac Barnett on 16th February 2023
In recent weeks, a petition was launched to “save Cole Kitchen” over speculation the business had to potentially close its doors.
Cole Kitchen is a local business located in Roker, Sunderland. The café and deli have been open since 2017 and often has a queue outside of its door, with plenty of locals waiting patiently for one of its high-quality sandwiches or a locally brewed coffee.
Cole Kitchen, St George’s Terrace, Roker
In early December, the café had plans to turn into a hot food takeaway denied by the Sunderland City Council because of residential amenity and health concerns.
A statement from the Sunderland City Council said: “A retrospective planning application for the use of Cole Kitchen as a hot food takeaway was refused planning permission, in strict accordance with the policies contained within the adopted Core Strategy and Development Plan, on the grounds of residential amenity and health.
“Following the refusal of planning permission an Enforcement Notice was served.”
After the plans were denied, a petition was created titled ‘Save Cole Kitchen – Don’t let Planners close them down.’
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Many locals have shown their support in favour of the café, with the petition gaining close to 5,000 signatures in just over a month.
One person said: “This is a great little business that has been operating for many years. It is a much-loved café/take away. Its beggar’s belief that an established business is being treated this way by the Council.”
Another said: “I just don’t understand why the council are trying to close it. The food is cooked to order of high quality and nowhere near a school that would encourage obesity in young people.”
If you wish to sign the petition, click here.
