Planning permission has been granted (August 2019) by Rutland County Council for a change of use from retail ‘A1’ to café ‘A3’ on Oakham High Street.

This permission will allow for the expansion of local Nottinghamshire coffee company ‘Stray’s’ who currently operate from premises in Newark. Stray’s is a family-owned and run coffee shop, and the owners of the business have been looking to expand from their original site in Newark. The Newark business has been operating since 2013.

With the help GraceMachin Planning & Property, the application for the change of use for the ‘Class A1 - retail property’ at 2 High Street Oakham to the use ‘Class A3 – café’ was approved, thus allowing Stray’s to now expand their business into another key East Midlands town.

The change of use obtained will benefit Oakham as a whole, with the provision of 12 new jobs.

GraceMachin Planning & Property were able to identify in their application submission that this type of use is supported by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which clearly identifies that local authorities should not only allow but support new sustainable development and economic growth.

We are delighted to have supported Stray’s on their new venture which will contribute towards maintaining the vitality and viability of the town center – a key point within the NPPF.