DPP has worked closely with Caffè Nero in relation to their development programme, seeking additional units in prime town centre locations throughout the country. We have been involved in a series of successful appeal decisions, securing the change of use from retail premises to allow a ‘mixed use’, including retail and cafe activities.

Services Provided
DPP has provided comprehensive evidence in support of the proposed uses. This has examined the nature of coffee shops and their role in the high street. Their evidence has drawn upon bespoke surveys commissioned on behalf of the client, and expert witnesses have robustly presented the cases at Inquiry.

Achievements
With DPP’s input, Caffè Nero has secured a series of successful appeal decisions. Inspectors have consistently been persuaded to adopt a pragmatic approach: even where the proposals conflict with a strict interpretation of planning policy, it has been accepted that planning permission should still be granted given the positive benefits they offer.These decisions have provided important precedents, and have often been relied upon by other coffee shop operators.

Given its expertise, DPP was recently selected by Allegra to provide an expert comment on the planning system and coffee shops. This was published in their ‘UK Independent Coffee Shop Market Research’, which is an invaluable tool for coffee shop retailers.