I was forced to shut down my Perth café after just two weeks for a ridiculous reason – but the bureaucrats just don’t give a damn about the people who really matter
The owner of a small café has lashed out at the local council for forcing them to shut down, and slammed them for favouring big corporations over small businesses.
Old Soul Coffee Co had only been operating for a fortnight in south Perth’s Yangebup Primary School car park when the City of Cockburn council shut it down last week.
The cafe is run by Rosie Miller, 34, and her barista Emma Hopkins, and locals insist the mobile caravan had brought a vital new life to the suburb.
As well as coffee, customers also found a new sense of community, the pair said.
They said the coffee caravan was the perfect solution to the suburb’s café shortage and was helping to beautify an area which suffered from a pervasive drug culture.
But the council said the café could not operate without a valid licence and needed the state school’s permission to operate in its car park.
But even if they got that, the council said the café would still not be able to trade as the location fell within 1km of a similar business.
Now Ms Miller has blasted the council for taking a blinkered approach to the regulations.
In a social media post, the café apologised to locals saying the business could no longer trade (pictured, Rosie and Emma)
‘To the City of Cockburn, a “like business” is one which has a coffee machine,’ she said.
‘The IGA, local deli and petrol station 1.2km up the road has these machines [and] one is an instant machine.
‘The local IGA has an unused machine and its primary income is not serving coffee!’
She warned the suburb was in danger of becoming a wasteland and accused it of allowing businesses to collapse while focusing on the success of two shopping centres.
A local farmers’ market failed after just six months, she said, and other locals have complained about a lack of council co-operation to support community initiatives.
‘There’s so much potential for small business to thrive but we are getting held back by council who are more interested in building Starbucks and childcare centres,’ the single mother-of-three said
She said she had planned to put any proceeds toward building a community garden.
Ms Miller said she would continue to fight for the chance to trade outdoors, as the local shops were poorly maintained and expensive.
Old Soul Coffee Co had been trading at Nicholson Park in Yangebup, south Perth, for just a fortnight, when the City of Cockburn shut it down last week
‘The options I’m left with are perhaps fighting the council for a spot on council land 100m down from the carpark, which they still aren’t keen on,’ she said.
‘However, they have given approval for a farmers’ market which sold coffee, produce and things so technically this isn’t too different.’
She believed the project was still worth fighting for.
‘The sense of community and the coming together of families out in the park was really lovely,’ she said.
‘Isolated members of the community were coming down for a coffee and chat, people getting out into the open space.’
She said one overworked mother broke down in tears after receiving a compliment about her young children.
‘We were also sourcing as much local produce and food as we could and giving a “bring your own cup” 50cent discount.
‘We had hoped to start stocking picnic mats for customers to use. We take all our rubbish and waste water home. We were cleaning up the area of litter before trading.’
Locals said the caravan (above) had encouraged families to spend more time outside with friends and family
The caravan operator said families and friends have been encouraged by the mobile café to stay at the park longer and allow their children to play outside.
Some residents have turned up exhausted from domestic duties and fallen asleep while waiting for coffees, she said.
One local wrote the ‘gem’ was more than just a café at the neighbourhood park.
‘It is a community hub where bonds are strengthened, and daily routines are enhanced by the warmth of a friendly barista and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee,’ local resident Michael Green said at the launch of an online petition.
‘Small businesses like Old Soul Coffee Co play an integral role in fostering community connections and supporting the local economy.
‘They offer unique experiences and contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of our neighbourhood.’
In a social media post, Ms Miller apologised to locals saying the business could no longer trade and remains at loggerheads with the City of Cockburn Council.
It faces $150 fines for continuing to trade without necessary permits, but the council has hit back and insisted it welcomes initiatives from the public.
The council has rejected claims they are reluctant to assist community initiatives (above, the coffee van)
‘The City of Cockburn actively welcomes and supports community-led initiatives,’ said Dan Arndt, director of sustainable development and safety.
‘We welcome further discussion on identifying appropriate locations for mobile food vendors in the area.
‘The city acknowledges the interest from members of the community in supporting local mobile food vendors and creating vibrant public spaces.’
Mr Arndt added that the ‘city must prioritise the safety and amenity of all community members’.
‘Increased traffic and parking congestion during school hours pose potential risks to students and families,’ he said.
‘[But] standards prohibit stallholders from trading within 1km of any shop, trader, or permanent place of business that sells similar goods, wares, merchandise, or services.’
