We have recently been involved in a dispute with the local council about the outside area at the rear of The Berliner, this arose due to a technicality in planning permission that means the permissions in place were not suitable for the use of the area for eating/drinking/smoking, we immediately tried to rectify this by applying for 'change of use' with BBC. The planning committee assured us this would be all we would have to do and the result would be in our favour... However we have been served an objection which would leave us 4 weeks to remove the decking area entirely. This decking has been in place for 7 years, and is used and loved by our customers especially in summer months. In relation to complaints about noise, we had already had strict procedures in place to ensure the outside area is empty by 10:30pm which we have since brought forward to 10pm. 

Furthermore, it should not be understated that to remove customers' choice to sit outside and take advantage of our smoking area, especially at the start of the summer, will have an enormous impact on our small business. At a time when small businesses are already being squeezed, including measures by the same council to remove free parking for staff and customers, we strongly believe this decision would further disadvantage our customers, our business and the local high road as a whole. 

In our appeal to Broxtowe Borough Council, and later the national Planning Inspectorate, we hope to show that local residents agree that the use of the space is respectful and beneficial to the local economy. Please sign and leave any comments if you have made use of our decking in the past, and we will use them in our appeals. If you are a Broxtowe resident please send any comments + street address to contact@theberlinerbar.com  

Much Love, 
The Berliner