A COFFEE shop in Hereford's Old Market Shopping Centre has been told whether or not it can keep a pergola with a retractable roof which it installed without permission.

The Coffee Cart Co, opposite TK Maxx in the centre, replaced two giant patio umbrellas with the pergola but didn't ask Herefordshire Council if it could do.

It meant the company has had to apply for retrospective planning permission, but the Herefordshire Council officer dealing with the application was impressed with the new structure.

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Case officer Simon Withers said the application to replace two giant patio umbrellas in the existing outdoor seating area in Garrick Lane with a new all-weather continental retractable roof pergola should be approved.

He said: "In my view the sleek modern design of this semi-permanent structure is far superior to the previously installed umbrellas and compliments the more contemporary design of the kiosk and the wider site which also features open sided timber framed structures for cycle storage for example."

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He added: "I consider this option to respond more positively to the context of a modern commercial environment."

Herefordshire Council approved the application.