One man's complaints won't stop horsebox business selling its popular cakes in Wadebridge

A popular business selling sweet treats from a converted horsebox in a town in Cornwall will be allowed to carry on trading following complaints from just one person.

Zara Choak had to appear before a street trading sub-committee after a resident complained to Cornwall Council that her Zara's Bakes trailer was causing "chaos" at a nearby bus stop.

Miss Choak was reapplying for consent to trade from outside Pop Café and Gallery on Goldsworthy Way, Wadebridge, between 8am and 5pm on Saturdays when she sells brownies, cakes and hot drinks with the help of her mum.

She also asked for permission for the horsebox to be parked permanently on the site outside trading hours with 24-hour CCTV in operation, which had already been approved by the landowner.

Councillors heard that the business has generated a lot of loyal support in the town since it started trading in July 2021, with many people asking why it has been closed for the past eight weeks.

The matter was brought before the committee due to concerns made by Peter Blake.

Mr Blake wrote to the council saying: “This catering trailer is permanently parked on private land and does not have planning permission to be there.

"When it is trading it causes chaos in the bus stop with its customers parking there, it also looks unsightly around other businesses which are trying to trade.”

He added that the horsebox looked to be “abandoned” when not open for business on Saturdays.

Miss Choak was represented at the meeting by her partner James Peck, who addressed Mr Blake’s parking concerns.

He said: “Zara and her mother, who works with her, politely remind customers who park in the bus stop that it’s not okay and they should find alternative parking. They ensure parking issues are addressed quickly.

"There are a lot of surrounding businesses in that particular area and, being local ourselves, we notice people using that bus stop as access for other businesses, but Zara and her mother really are conscious about keeping the environment which they trade in safe and compliant, and not causing any congestion to buses or any road users."

He added the business had been closed for eight weeks dealing with licensing issues and the complaints from Mr Blake, “which has really impacted”.

Mr Peck said many people in the area had contacted him saying they were missing buying Zara’s Bakes treats.

He said: “I want to reiterate just how much a piece of the local community the horsebox is.

"This one representation has been made which is fair enough, but the bigger picture is Zara and her mum respect the local environment of where they trade and really enjoy operating the business in the community, and hopefully a lot of people get a lot of benefit and warmth from it as well.”

Cllr Robin Moorcroft added there were other options for people to park nearby, which people already do to visit a popular neighbouring pasty shop.

The licence was granted as was permission to park the horsebox on site outside trading hours. The committee noted that any problems with people parking at the nearby bus stop were not just down to Zara’s Bakes customers.

Committee chairman Phil Seeva wished Miss Choak all the best with her business.

Credit: Lee Trewhela/Local Democracy Reporting Service