Perth Voice Interactive

A NEW cafe is planned for the corner of Beaufort Street and Central Avenue.

Stirling city council approved the development application Tuesday night.

Joshua O’Donnell wants to open in the vacant antique store on the corner, in a strip with two antique dealers, two hairdressers and a nail salon.

“The cafe will enhance the area and bring more business to the strip,” he told Stirling council.

“It is hoped that we will capture many people going to work in the mornings. The building is also opposite the Good Life Gym and we would expect to receive a large amount of patrons from there.

“It is also hoped that by refurbishing it may encourage other businesses to move into the two vacant tenancies.”

The 230sqm cafe will fit around 70 and Mr O’Donnell is planning to open 7am-4pm weekdays and 8am-4pm weekends.

He’ll employ up to eight staff and may also open at night for small functions, depending on demand.

Councillors voted to waive a cash-in-lieu contribution for a seven-bay shortfall, despite staff warning of complaints “from residents and businesses within the area concerning the lack of suitable parking in this area, including unauthorised parking within private commercial developments”.

“A number of complaints have also been received in the area regarding the spill-over of parking into nearby residential streets.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK