Opportunity knocks for Pasha after Planning Committee overturn Planning Officers' recommendation

Pasha the Turkish Barber will be able to fulfil his dream of opening a speciality Turkish cafe alongside his Barber's shop in Lairgate, Beverley.

Following an intervention by ward councillor, Denis Healy, the Council's Eastern Area Planning Committee, overruled planning officers who were recommending refusal of planning permission for Pasha's new venture.

The decision means that the Turkish entrepreneur will be able to establish his innovative cafe, bringing a concept to Beverley that he first established in his native Turkey before settling in Beverley. Pasha will be roasting his own coffee beans, creating  elegant  aromas to delight shoppers and visitors alike, and will also offer speciality ice creams and a patisserie of other tasty delicacies. Meanwhile, he intends to operate his Barber's business from the adjoining shop next door, creating a vibrant Pasha led hub of activity  in the two businesses.

Speaking after the planning decision was made, Cllr Healy said: "I am very pleased that Councillors on the planning committee have decided to give Pasha an opportunity to show what he can do with his barista and business skills. He is already a well respected and hard working personality in the town, and now he has the opportunity to create something really different with a truly innovative coffee bar concept, whilst still carrying out his hairdressing business.

"I know that planning officers were concerned about the loss of retail shop frontage, but we shouldn't be stifling entrepreneurial flair through the planning process, and if Pasha has the vision to make this venture work, the planning rules shouldn't be used as a barrier to stifle his ambition. We only have to look at Cafe Velo, to see how true innovation in a Beverley cafe really does attract customers, and I am sure that Pasha can be equally successful. Rent and rates in Beverley are incredibly high, and if Pasha had been refused planning permission for his cafe, the Barber's shop on its own would have been unsustainable, and we would have been left with two empty premises in listed buildings in the heart of our historic town.

"Today we saw the democracy of the planning process in action, with elected councillors saying yes to a new business venture that deserves to have a chance to shine. I wish Pasha well with it."