Coffee Shop Planning

ch2008

Hi All,
I'm in the process of finding a premises to open a cafe but I'm coming accross a lot of sketchy information about what you need to operate a cafe.

Where can I find information on the requisite planning requirements in Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and Wicklow? Their websites aren't very user friendly but maybe I'm missing the legislation somewhere?
Any help or previous experience greatly appreciated

Poor Uncle Tom

You need to sit down and talk to a good local AT/Architect and put your many questions to them.

What class of building can I open a Cafe in without change of use planning permission, new Fire Saftey Certificate, Contributions, hidden costs, etc., etc., etc.,

ch2008

Thanks for that. I would like to understand the process better myself before having to approach an Architect or similar but can't find the relevant information. I'd like to know what defines a coffee shop as opposed to a restaurant, retail or perhaps even a take away. The only information online seems to be about making applications but I'd like to understand the parameters of the different entities. I understand some cafes operate under retail licenses because they don't have seats etc.

Poor Uncle Tom

Ok, all buildings fit into a category called a Purpose Group as defined in Part B of the Building Regulations.

http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,1640,en.pdf

Page 12 of the above shows that a restaurant or cafe would be Purpose Group 5 sub group (iv) but if yours is specifically a SHOP then it is a different Purpose Group. (A coffee shop should be the same purpose grouping as a restaurant, imo)

Anyway, if you are moving your new business into a premises which previously had a different grouping then you will need Planning Permission for a Change of Use and a Fire Safety Certificate for the Change of Use, if you are moving into a premises which previously had the same grouping then you don't need the planning permission or fire safety certificate, because/if they already exist for the premises.

ch2008

Thats great, really appreciate that. Would prefer to know as much as possible about the regulations beforehand. I'll thrawl through all of that so, cheers!

sinnerboy

You need to get to grips with environmental health requirements too .

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/health/food-safety/food_safety_and_environmental_health_services

happy reading

ch2008

sinnerboy wrote: »

You need to get to grips with environmental health requirements too .

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/health/food-safety/food_safety_and_environmental_health_services

happy reading

Cheers for that. The planning area is one that I know least about but its probably a good thing to re-run over EH too