Three trendy coffee shops have been ticked off for opening without planning permission.
Caffe Nero, Costa Coffee and Starbucks have opened new branches in Chichester without being granted permission to change the use of their buildings from shops to coffee shops.
Chichester District councillors will meet next Wednesday to decide whether legal action should be taken against the chains, forcing them to close.
However, planning officers have recommended nothing should be done as the shops have not harmed trade in the city centre.
They said there were enough normal shops around the branches, in East Street, West Street and North Street, to keep the balance between shops, cafs and restaurants.
Friday, March 24, 2006
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