Annie & Belle Cafe Table petition

Annie & Belle opened in December 2011 on Portobello High Street, Edinburgh. We chose Portobello after lots of research and thought for the area. Many people said before and since we have been open how much the high street needs new independent shops, as many have closed and remain empty. Since opening we have obtained many regular customers and attract visitors to the area, we have had had so much support and fantastic feedback.

But we are only allowed four tables, many people each day comment on this. Edinburgh Council refused our application for class 3 usage, on the grounds of there already being one third non retail units on our strip of the high street. We will take away from the vitality and viability of the high street is what we have been told!
We appealed this decision and were refused again, a letter from Portobello Community Council objecting to our shop was one of the main factors for this decision.

We have had a large amount of community members telling us how unhappy they are about this and therefore want to let both Edinburgh Council and Portobello Community Council know that we are indeed wanted. We already have over 350 written signatures.