Plug could be pulled on Bath Starbucks

Coffee shop chain Starbucks may have to shut its two stores in Bath if a planning inquiry decision goes against the firm.

The row, which has rumbled on for more than a year, came to a head when Starbucks appealed against enforcement notices served by Bath and North-east Somerset Council.

The council claimed that the chain had breached planning regulations because it has permission to operate only as a takeaway at its sites in Old Bond Street and Stall Street. But both were said to be operating as cafés, which amounted to an unauthorised change of use.

Planning inspector Robert Gardner's decision is expected within a few weeks.