A café owner has been thrust into a bitter war with his council after he was ordered to shut a walk-up window at his premises without explanation.
Local Folk owner Ashley Benson told Daily Mail Australia he was left stunned after being told to make the change at his business in the inner-city Melbourne suburb of Kensington.
The window had served as a convenient take-away point where customers could order and pick up their drinks without having to enter the cafe.
It was helpful for customers who would normally struggle navigating through a busy cafe – such as parents with prams or dogs, or anyone living with a disability.
Mr Benson raised a sign on the window informing the public he had been told to close it under the direction of Melbourne City Council.
He said he has operated his cafe for years and admitted that he understood local councils have to ensure business owners follow the laws.
But he doesn’t know which law he’s breaking.
‘I’ve been here for 10 years, and we play within the rules. But, all of a sudden the council have come and said you can’t serve out the window,’ Mr Benson said.
Local Folk owner Ashley Benson told Daily Mail Australia was left stunned after being told to make the change at his business at Kensington, in inner-city Melbourne
Melbourne City Council arrived with a bizarre order for Mr Benson to shut a business ‘life-line’
‘I’ve tried to ask them, “Can we work around it? Is there a different system we need?”,’ he said.
‘But they’ve just come in and told me, “If the window’s open you’re going to get a fine”.’
The ‘coffee window’ provides Mr Benson’s business a lifeline in the current economy.
‘The majority of our sales are small sales,’ he said, revealing his customers were mostly walking past the business while taking kids to school or heading to work.
‘The industry’s already struggling.’
Mr Benson’s unique window provides connection for customers who might not be able to navigate tight, lane-way cafe precincts or even simple stairs outside restaurants in the coffee capital.
‘We’ve got a step up (outside our own cafe) so for anyone with a walking frame getting up is a challenge,’ he said.
‘With the window it’s so easy, and for the community (it means) they get a social connection, we know everybody’s names, and they get to chat with the friendly staff we have.’
Mr Benson said his cafe is a strong community hub, he hires and upskills the local kids, knows their families, and has driven charity appeals through the business.
That’s partially why he’s been so blindsided by the council’s decision to crack down on a simple window.
‘If there was a law fair enough, but I can’t find anything,’ he said.
‘They just won’t consult with me.’
Mr Benson said he has asked if he could apply for a permit – but his request has been shut down.
Local customer and former deputy and acting lord mayor Arron Wood said the council had lost touch with business owners.
‘It’s clear that Town Hall under the leadership of Nick Reece has no understanding or sympathy for small business owners who are simply trying to get by and earn a living,’ he said.
The cafe used its ‘coffee window’ to serve customers who can’t or don’t have time to enter
‘This is just one of many examples I have heard about the City of Melbourne’s wrong priorities when it comes to small businesses in the municipality.
‘Local Folk is a great café in Kensington and I will be visiting them soon to show my support for their business.
‘Melbourne needs a fresh start and the best way to do that is to change the leadership at Town Hall.’
A photograph of the sign was shared to Facebook where social media users were left outraged at council.
‘They are killing off businesses that have managed to survive the worst economic conditions in our history, much of which have been created by a heartless and cruel to the bone Victorian Labor government,’ one Melburnian said.
‘Elections matter, especially local ones,’ another reminded the public.
It’s understood the window has been closed by the council until the City of Melbourne can devise a permit system for coffee windows.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the City of Melbourne for comment.