OWNERS of a popular baker's shop in Sutton have run into a spot of bother over seating arrangements.

Trevor and Helen Hepworth have spent thousands of pounds extending the Holme Lane Bakery in the village.

They also installed a few tables and chairs for customers to take the weight off their feet and enjoy the bakery's fare.

But planning bosses have given them 14 days to remove them, as it is turning the bakery into a caf.

Helen told the Herald that she and her husband intended to apply for planning permission to allow the tables and chairs to stay.

"We've had such a lot of support from people who use the shop," she said.

"During the summer months we had tables and chairs outside and nobody batted an eyelid."

Helen added that she felt the business had been penalised over the last few years in its attempts to expand.

The application to extend the bakery was turned down by Craven's planning committee, but was granted following an appeal to the Environment Secretary.

"This was a ramshackle shop thatwas falling to pieces and we've made it a lot better," she said.

"All we want to do is provide a service for the people of Sutton and give people somewhere to go and chat."

Holme Lane Bakery's improvements were praised in a recent edition of the Sutton Village Newsletter, delivered to all homes in the area.

South Craven planning officer Richard Preston said when the extension appeal was being held the council had asked for a condition to be imposed that the premises were not used as a caf.

"The inspector noted this but did not impose the condition. However someone has notified us that there are tables and chairs with menus on.

"Our enforcement officer has written to the bakery about the matter and I understand they intend to apply for consent."

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