Trying to save Toast Rack decking on Trinity Road Post Reply

[Annabel (admin)]

Posted on behalf of Ben at Toast Rack:

<STARTS>
Trying to gain as many signatures to get the deck kept in place in front of Toast Rack. 

I am being hounded by the lovely folk at TFL to remove this lovely deck in front of our bakery that we built in Wandsworth. Please can you add your signature? 
https://chng.it/6bFCK8S7nb

Thanks,

Ben
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[chorister]

If TFL have given absolutely no reason then it sounds pretty unreasonable and they probably couldn't enforce it.  But if they have given a reason then I think you should tell us what it is (dispassionately and without spin) before asking for our support.

[dudette]

If TFL have given absolutely no reason then it sounds pretty unreasonable and they probably couldn't enforce it.  But if they have given a reason then I think you should tell us what it is (dispassionately and without spin) before asking for our support.

I’m a regular visitor to the Toast Rack - it’s a lovely cafe and deli, much improved under its new ownership. The decking is absolutely not in anyone’s way and is very popular with dog walkers. It also makes that stretch of Trinity Road look more appealing. Please sign the petition - we need to support good independent local businesses like this.

[dimelda]

I agree with Chorister.   TFL must have given some reason and we should know what it is.  Was it because Planning was needed, for which the cafe owners did not apply?  Also, pictures of the cafe with the decking would be helpful.

[Red5]

Happy to sign petition and share, it poses no issue at all. The only cafe within walking distance of my house, staff are lovely. Will share on our local what's app group as many locals who live on the houses surrounding the prison estate use the café.

[dimelda]

Nobody has answered the question as to whether a Pavement Licence (if it was needed & it probably was), or any necessary Plannng, was applied for and granted.   In which case it would seem the cafe owner unilaterally went ahead & constructed the decking without the necessary approval.   Yet many are happy to sign a petition to retain the decking because '... it's the only cafe within walking distance of my house' and '.. it also makes that stretch of Trinity Road look more appealing'!  etc.  TFL will laugh when they read that.  I hope it works out for the decking supporters but, if rules havn't been followed, then the decking might well have to be removed - legitimately.

[readysteadycook]

I agree, the decking looks quite ugly and at quite a prominent point of the road.

Its great to have outside eating areas, but rules (highly or wrongly) have to be followed.

[dimelda]

Decking!  Ugh !   I'm not surprised it looks ugly.  Most decking does.

[dimelda]

In her email/newsletter of today, 11 July, Annabel, inexplicably, seems still to be querying that a Licence is needed to put up decking on the pavement.   If TFL, which apparently owns the site, says a Licence is needed, then why wasn’t one applied for?   I’m astonished that the café owner doesn’t understand this.   

[JamTart]

I made a point of taking a good look at the decking when I drove past the other day.

1. Aesthetically it is not for me, but more importantly…

2. It has protruded an unnecessarily long and greedy way towards the kerb, where right in front of it is a bus stop with a shelter which already takes up quite a bit of space. This creates a pinch point between the back of the bus stop and the decking.

3. Rats and mice love to hang out under decking, nice and cosy and undisturbed. If tasty crumbs fall through the cracks it’s a bonus.

[JamTart]

Red5, no one is asking for the café to close down!

[dimelda]

JamTart:  Well posted.  If, as you say, the decking protrudes an unnecessarily long way towards the kerb, where right in front of it is a bus stop with a shelter which already takes up quite a bit of space .....  how on earth can people on this site actually support it!   It's quite unbelievable.  One poster even said ' ... the decking is absolutely not in anyone's way'.   Sometimes I despair at the inanity of people.  No wonder TFL wants it removed.

[chorister]

Why not just post details of TFL's objection(s) so that we can judge for ourselves?

[Greedyman]

Jesus... no way!

[Goldhawk]

https://goo.gl/maps/y1EvFihF1yPhdSB56

Google maps progression over time shows the space with and without the decking

A pavement licence usually means you can place removable furniture there for trade
A permanent structure such as decking is a different matter