RESIDENTS of a picturesque village have branded plans for the first-ever kebab shop in the community “a nightmare” – but the row isn’t over yet.
The village of Grasmere lies at the heart of the Lake District and is famous for its romantic past and ties with poet William Wordsworth, who described it as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”.
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Residents in the picturesque Grasmere have branded plans for the village’s first ever kebab shop as a ‘nightmare’ Credit: Alamy
They fear it will lead to smells, litter and encourage healthy eating Credit: Getty
Today, it is a tourism honeypot full of cafes, quaint family run businesses, art galleries, and outdoor clothing and equipment shops.
But furious residents fear that introducing a kebab shop will tarnish the village’s image, lead to unwanted smells and litter, and encourage unhealthy eating.
There is also the question of access as the site in Lake View Drive sits at the top of a long private driveways of residential properties.
The fast-food joint is also almost directly opposite the local primary school, sparking further concerns among concerned locals.
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Goody Blakes on Stock Lane, where the proposed kebab shop will be developed Credit: Tripadvisor
Shwan Khder plans to open the business as a restaurant after planning permission for a kebab shop was refused Credit: Mark Branagan
At the moment, the shop, originally Goody Blake’s cafe, is under restoration with work ongoing to put in a large extractor fan.
Shwan Khder previously sought full planning permission to change Good Blake’s on Stock Lane from a restaurant to a hot food takeaway, trading as Grasmere Kebab Shop.
The application was thrown out by council bosses after a campaign to protect the village’s romantic heritage.
But now, Khder told The Jattvibe he plans to open the business as a restaurant while he redrafts the planning application, having previously calling the criticism “unbelievable”.
If permission is granted for the kebab shop takeaway, the 38-year-old promises to be open no later than 10pm a night.
New owner Mr Khder pointed out that the original sign for Goody Blake’s had takeaway in it as well as cafe.
He said: “It definitely needs a kebab shop around here. Sometimes, you have to wait half an hour to get one bun.
“Before, when it was Goody Blakes, there were ovens and fryers going all the time so it will not make any difference with the smells.
Local John Lowther, 71, said it wasn’t ‘the right spot’ for a kebab shop Credit: Mark Branagan
Daniel Roper, 43, said it ‘would attract the wrong sort of people’ Credit: Mark Branagan
“Then original cafe has been there 15 years. All I am trying to do is help people and put something back into the community.”
His plans have caused outrage in the picturesque village – which went to war over them.
John Lowther, 71, who lives near the takeaway and owns the village jigsaw shop, said: “Grasmere is unique. It is one of the few prettiest villages in the UK.
“In the past, no fish and chip shops or takeaways have been allowed at all because of the litter and because it is out of character.
“Down where it is, is a private road and it is hell getting out of there at the best of times. It is a nightmare.
“The farmers will not be able to get down there with their equipment if they are blocked in.
“You cannot see a thing getting out. So it is in the wrong place. It is not going to do that well anyway because no one can see it.
“It is not in the right spot. You did not get many people going down there. A cafe is fine. There is a lot of them in the village. But a lot of people come to the village.
“It might do better somewhere there are a lot of day trippers like Keswick or Bowness.We do get a lot of trippers here but they tend to be older and more health conscious.
“People who love mountaineering and walking a lot are more careful about what they eat. The whole village is basically opposed apart from one or two.
“It is all right in towns and cites. If people want kebab they can go to Kendal.”
Daniel Roper, 43, of Harley’s Bistro, said: “There are Airbnbs close by and there will be smells.
James Hepworth, 53, boss of Mountain Hi, said the village had ‘plenty of cafes already’ Credit: Mark Branagan
Grasmere is famous for its romantic past and ties with poet William Wordsworth Credit: Getty
“It is going to have an impact on our business but that is not the reason we are objecting.
“It is going to attract the wrong sort of people. I don’t think it fits in with the village.
“It is not the right place for it. We cannot stop it but why do we need it?”
Stephen Bouskill, 28, said: “What is going on with a kebab shop in Grasmere. It not the sort of spot where you expect to see that sort of thing.
“I cannot say I am really for it, It would cheapen the experience of Grasmere. It might be okay in other places.
“I know other people I work with are not fans of the idea. It is all just cafes and shops here.
“I don’t eat particularly healthy myself.
“But then there is the smell, you expect more of gingerbread in Grasmere and that kind of thing rather than kebabs.”
The village is popular amongst tourists visiting the Lake District Credit: Getty
Mr Khder (left) is determined to bring new food to the village Credit: Facebook/@shwan.akoyi
James Hepworth, 53, boss of Mountain Hi outdoor clothing and equipment shop, said: “I can’t see a kebab shop working in Grasmere.
“Kebabs are something you have when you are drunk and want to sober up. But on the other hand it is something different.
“We have got plenty of cafes already. People who live here might have a different point of view. I have heard initially he is going to have it as a kebab shop restaurant rather than a takeaway.”
Sheena Simpson, 65, who runs the outdoor clothing business opposite the proposed shop, said: “I think it would go better as a fish and chip shop.
“That is what is needed here. You have to go to Ambleside to get a decent chip buttie. But it will still be bringing money into the village.
“So I am in two minds. We will have to see how much litter there will be and see how it goes generally.”
