A family-run café is fighting to stay open, in a licensing battle with Richmond Council.

The Fallow Deer, in High Street, Teddington, opened in spring 2014 with a two-year licence that allowed the property to temporarily change use from a retail unit to a restaurant.

The council refused to extend the licence, citing a policy meant to maintain variety among businesses in town centres to preserve their ‘vibrancy and vitality’, but have made it clear to the owners that they are welcome to submit a new planning application, as they did in the first instance.

Café owner Al Camilleri-Lloyd set up a petition, which has gathered over 7,700 signatures, aiming to put pressure on the council to reverse the decision, and to allow the current licence to be extended.

She said: “The Fallow Deer has become my life. I put literally everything into this, financially and emotionally.”

Their campaign drew the attention of Twickenham MP Dr Tania Mathias, who went to the café to show her support earlier this month.

Ms Camilleri-Lloyd said: “Tania has been fantastic and helped us any way she can. She’s been a great support.

Henry Camilleri, Al’s father, said: “We have the public's support. They all love us. People want to chain themselves to the door! So what is the problem? The locals want us to stay there. They are adamant.”

A Richmond Council Spokesperson said: “In April 2014, the Fallow Deer Café and Bar in Teddington was issued a notice to confirm that a temporary change of use for 2 years, from a retail unit (A1) to a restaurant (A3), would be lawful. It was made clear by the Planning officers at the time, and in the published report that “at the end of the period, the site must revert to its previous lawful A1 use.

“At the end of the two years, the applicant requested to continue the restaurant use and therefore applied for planning permission. As per earlier planning application and appeal decisions, this was refused due to planning policies that aims to protect high streets from over-concentration of restaurants in this part of the High Street.

“Following the rejection of the application by the Council the applicant appealed to The Planning Inspectorate. This is the Government agency who handles planning appeals. Following a review, the Government Inspector dismissed the Fallow Deer Café appeal, agreeing with the reasons given by the Council for initial refusal.

“The proprietors of Fallow Deer are aware that they need to submit a Planning Application, which would be determined at a full Planning Committee. This could consider a further two year temporary consent for the current premises.  As yet, this Application has not been received by the Council.”

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