Councillors have defied the local authority and backed plans for a £2million expansion of the “Harrods of the north-east”.
Late last year, Des Cheyne tabled proposals to triple the size of the cafe at his Spotty Bag Shop in Banff and create as many as 30 new jobs in the local economy.
But, despite widespread local support for the idea, council planners stepped in to block the development over concerns there were not enough parking spaces in the nearby area.
However, Banff and Buchan councillors yesterday overruled Aberdeenshire Council’s planning team and unanimously granted Mr Cheyne permission to start work on a development which they said would bolster the ailing local economy.
Councillor Brian Topping said: “People talk about Harrods and Harvey Nichols – they want to visit them and leave with a special bag.
“I think the Spotty Bag Shop is just the same. It’s gone from strength to strength and the impact on jobs and the local economy is significant.”
Committee chairman John Cox said: “People come to the Spotty Bag Shop and they also spend their money elsewhere – it doesn’t absorb all the local expenditure.
“I think this addresses the wider issue of regeneration.”
And councillor Mark Findlater added: “This is a destination business – a lot of folk travel from all over to come here.
“There is ample parking in Banff. We want people to come to this area and my thoughts are to grant permission.”
Even council planning officer Jim Martin added the expansion of the Spotty Bag shop would make a “positive contribution” to the Banff and Macduff economy.
However, he raised concerns that disregarding the lack of parking space in the vicinity would set a dangerous precedent for planning applications across the region in the future.
He added: “We’re damned if we do, and damned if we don’t”.
Work to expand the Spotty Bag Shop’s retail area, office space and cafe could begin as early as March and Mr Cheyne hopes to complete the £2million overhaul of his store by 2018.
The shop is often likened to Aladdin’s Cave, due to the vast and unusual array of products on offer, and already employs 50 staff.
Mr Cheyne had previousaid expansion – which will be complete in time for the shop’s 10th anniversary – will make his business the biggest employer in Banff.