Cafe central threatened by alfresco application objectors

A POPULAR Nightcliff cafe is at risk of closing its doors if an alfresco dining application is not approved, with the owner asking his customers for their support

Daniel Treacy is concerned he will have to close his business if an alfresco dining application is not approved. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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A POPULAR Nightcliff cafe is at risk of closing its doors if an alfresco dining application is not approved, with the owner calling upon loyal customers for support.

Rapid Creek’s Cafe Central has been operating with alfresco dining for about 10 years without incident.

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But until recently Cafe Central owner Daniel Treacy didn’t know he needed an official permit and said if his application isn’t approved, the business will have to close.

“If we are not approved, without alfresco dining, we couldn’t sustain the business with just internal seating,” he said. “Unfortunately, it would just lead us to close.

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“We’ve always had (alfresco dining), we’ve just been informed we don’t have approval though … we’re not making any changes to what we had.”

It has led Mr Treacy to call upon his patrons to show their support behind his alfresco application, with a number of objections already threatening his case.

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However regular patron Amanda Wren said there shouldn’t be any issues with the application for the cafe she has called home for seven years, since her daughter was born. “It’s a beautiful place to go, my kids have grown up there, I’ve had another two children and it’s got such a beautiful community where you meet people and become friends for life,” she said.

“There’s a few other coffee shops in Nightcliff but none with the quality coffee and that nice local feel.”

Ms Wren said the alfresco component gave the cafe it’s vibrancy and character. “Just enjoying the beautiful dry, the last thing you want to do is sit inside when it’s a beautiful day,” she said.

“I live two doors down from the cafe and you can’t hear the noise from outdoor dining so I can’t imagine why anyone would be objecting to it. It would be heartbreaking if it was to close but I think with Darwin supporting it, hopefully it won’t.”

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Mr Treacy has been allowed to continue operating his businesses alfresco component while the application passes through council.