Independent Businesses & Subway in Portobello!

[paletoecosse]

[Bob Jefferson]

[Epykat]

[wangi]

[rapunzell]

[Bazza]

[seanie]

[paletoecosse]

[Grunk]

[Pal of Porty]

[Porty]

[Porty]

[Sandra]

[StarVanMan]

[Pal of Porty]

[bathst2]

[wangi]

[Bob Jefferson]

The applicant, Mr Christopher Condie has registered the domain name cafemercurius.com

[Pal of Porty]

That's going to make a sweet shop, the Deli and a cafe all in a row!

[Epykat]

You'll never make it to work!

[cafemercurius]

hello folks,

it's good to see a community so active in local affairs, and is something we are really looking forward to getting involved in when we open.

Our cafe will be more tea room than cafe, selling baked goods cakes, tray bakes, cupcakes, a range of teas and some lovely coffee. We also plan on having a breakfast and lunch menu of an Asian/American fusion, think noodle dishes or homemade burgers . We feel that there is space for something like this in Portobello, but, taking a leaf from the thread originators book, perhaps the members feel differently?

It has come to our attention that there are some business owners in the community who, rightly are passionate about there business but, are already trying to campaign against us opening. I hope the explanation of our products and services will go some way to alleviating a portion of their fears, but would welcome suggestions on what we can do to work with the locals business community.

Our hope is that we can integrate into the local community, get involved and active, help support local activities, open the cafe space to local group meetings (if there is a requirement for it), book groups, film nights, art work. It's something we feel passionate about (my grandfather George Condie was an local artist in Muirhouse, and recently was exhibited in the community center it meant a lot to see his work finally on display).

we are certainly not a big chain or franchise.

Cheers,

[Porty]

Hi Chris and the best of luck to you and your new venture.

As a fellow business owner (non food) I admire anyone brave enough to invest in Portobello High Street. Hope you've done your sums right.

The site is quite good, high visibility but on the "wrong" side of the High Street. A lot of windows, which can be good or bad but there must be lots of scope for outside tables and chairs. Especially on the Rosefield corner which will get the sunshine for longer periods of the day than the Deli does.

From the layout plan you have 33sqm of customer service area. What internal seating capacity are you envisaging?



I love the internet. Seems like the tea room fits the formula well, 43% kitchen etc 57% seating in 33sqm or 335sq ft.

33 seats if banquet, 22 if casual and 16 if fine dining.

[bathst2]

[Bazza]

The shop to the left of Kitcheners is going to be a sweet shop. That'll hurt the one on Bath Street

[cafemercurius]

Thanks Porty,

re getting my sums right, you and me both!

It's good to hear from other local business owners, i certainly hope business is good.

And thanks for the link to the layout website, the plan we submitted was initially drawn up by ourselves in the hope of avoiding architect costs until we get feed back from the council.

we plan to have space for up 20 covers with buggy space, possibly an area for the wee ones to make a mess...but that's still only a thought at the moment.

[Epykat]

Plenty of room for another sit in cafe! It's always difficult getting a seat anywhere round about lunchtime because of the schools coming out. Any chance though that you could have a child free hour/day/week (sort of like a happy hour for people who like to have a tea/scone in peace )

[paletoecosse]

This is the oddest request I have ever heard in the UK ... kids already are not welcome in many places ... restaurants ... weddings ... 'NO BALL GAMES' designated areas ... I would suggest the Black Hill to enjoy a tea with a butter biscuit in peace.

[Pal of Porty]

[Makaveli]

Like they are going to have an hour where there are no kids!!!!

You'll be wanting a minorities free day on the Hight Street next!!!!

[Epykat]

What a great idea! I've already asked the manager of Morrison's to consider a child free day on a Sunday

[paletoecosse]

We wonder what he replied to you ... )

[Epykat]

Actually, he said if he thought he could get away with it he would consider it - seeing as how there were three children rampaging round the shop playing tig at the time and upsetting the hungover shoppers.

[Porty]

[wangi]

Was surprised at the Portobello Community Council meeting last night there were a few seriously talking about objecting to this planning application. In the end the community council is going to send in a letter of comment...

[Makaveli]

What were there reasons for objecting?