Diageo propose to build a new café on the waterfront green space in Carbost at the access point to the village pier.  It is believed that this would have a negative overall effect on the community for the following reasons:

• Road Safety:  The location of the cafe will result in a significant increase in the numbers of pedestrians crossing the B8009 from the distillery at a location where there is a significant risk of being hit by vehicles and where HGVs routinely manoeuvre.   This location is a blind corner and will considerably increase the likelihood of road traffic accidents.

• Negative Aesthetic Impact:  The community has previously protested against Diageo plans to develop on this site.  The proposed cafe and associated works will occupy part of the green at the waterfront which is an iconic feature of the village and the only green amenity space that is available for residents and visitors.

• Unfair Commercial Advantage:  Diageo's resources mean that it will not have to borrow money to build the cafe, and will be able to subsidise its operation from the multi-million pound whisky sales and visitor centre across the road.  This will give Diageo's cafe an unfair advantage over the other catering outlets in and around the village, all of which are owned and operated by local families.

• Negative Economic Impact:  The profits from the existing catering outlets are retained, spent and invested locally.  The profits from the proposed cafe, in contrast, will be retained by Diageo to be distributed among its international shareholders.  Any displacement of trade from the existing catering outlets to Diageo's cafe will result in a net decrease in the value of the local economy.