Cottesloe’s North Street Store will get a landscaping revamp after the Town of Cottesloe voted on Tuesday to replace parking bays and surrounding verge with native plants. The changes are the council’s solution to the “problem” of the store’s popularity — its cinnamon scrolls and freshly baked products make it a destination cafe for people across Perth, as well as Cottesloe coffee connoisseurs — causing road safety and noise issues. The store had suggested the parking area could be used for takeaway tables and chairs but after that got a definitive no, co-owner Lachie Bisset supported the council plan.
“We’re all for planting some natives around the place,” Mr Bisset said on Wednesday. “We thought making the space into a waiting area would be a good opportunity to get everyone in one spot but people are still going to stand around and wait wherever they can. So introducing some natives and greenery, instead of blocking it off with bollards and more woodchips, is a fantastic outcome.
” The decision to remove the cafe’s parking bays followed a number of noise complaints from nearby businesses. But it was the realisation that cars parked out front are obstructing other drivers’ sightlines that made the council act on the issue on Tuesday night. “It’s a busy road and the parking bays make it unsafe for our customers and unsafe for other drivers,” Mr Bisset said.
“We’re not allowed to have seats, so everyone just stands around and waits.” Spe.
