Tasha's Artisan Coffee Shop to reopen 'successful' business

Natasha Flynn, 50, set up Tasha’s Artisan Coffee Shop in Kelvedon Road, Wickham Bishops, a year and a half ago where she sold coffee and sweet treats to dog walkers, horse riders, and kids in the countryside.

Tasha was initially allowed to trade on private land, but after months of running the “very successful” business, Maldon Council determined she needed planning permission to continue, which was rejected.

She appealed the decision but was also dismissed by an Independent Planning Inspector, leaving Tasha unemployed and “very depressed.”

Happy - Tasha is very excited to reopen her coffee shop this week (Image: Natasha Flynn) She said: “I could’ve gone into myself and never opened up again, that’s how bad I felt, but I thought I’ll rise above it and carry on.

“I do believe in standing up and being in your own power and not being knocked down by society.”

After reviewing the decision of the planning documents, and consulting a neutral planning officer, Tasha understands that as long as her coffee shop is mobile and can “easily, readily be moved” she does not need planning permission to continue trading.

Tasha said: “My coffee shop is on wheels. My signage I had was on wheels on old hay bale carts, and my picket fencing was on planters that were removable.

“Any fixed items, fencing and signage would need planning permission, and had I taken the coffee shop off the land and parked it when I wasn’t open, they probably would have accepted me—not one councillor came to visit the site to help me or gave me any options to continue to trade.”

Success - Tasha's coffee shop was very popular with local residents, dog walkers and horse riders (Image: Natasha Flynn) A new door has opened for Tasha, which means she is able to set up shop and begin trading again this week.

Tasha’s Artisan Coffee shop will reopen at Maypole Pet & Garden Centre on Maypole Road, Wickham Bishops, this Thursday.

Tasha said: “It’s absolutely amazing, and quite overwhelming to have so many supporters.

“It’s going to be a different set up with more takeaway, but I’ll still be able to see the dog walkers because there’s a nice path next to it for people to walk from their houses.

“Interestingly, this was my first choice of site before I set up on the land—Michael Hammerson is very willing to help and support local small businesses to keep them thriving.

“Rules wise, I’m allowed to trade, I’m on wheels, so I’ll see how it goes.”

Trade - Tasha will be offering coffee, cake and more homemade goods from her delightful coffee shop (Image: Natasha Flynn) Tasha’s Artisan Coffee Shop will be open on Maypole Road at Maypole Pet & Garden Centre each week from Thursday, October 31.

She will be open from Thursdays through to Sundays between 10am and 3pm.

Tasha plans to return to Andrew Marvin’s land in Kelvedon Road next spring and summer, where she will host her market event for small businesses with live music and food trucks.