News / Tearoom secures planning approval
A PROPOSED tearoom near Aith has moved one step closer to becoming reality after it received approval from Shetland Islands Council’s planning department.
Lynn Johnson of Hayfield Croft Produce wants to build on the success of her hugely popular roadside cake fridge at East Burrafirth by opening a cafe in an existing cottage next door.
Last week the project was given planning permission and Johnson said she was “delighted” by the latest milestone.
She hopes that the Hayfield Croft Tearoom could open its doors in about one year’s time.
Johnson previously told Shetland News that she would keep her 24/7 honesty cupboard – which is stocked around the clock with homebakes and other items – open even if the the tearoom came to fruition.
Demand for her goods has more than doubled this year, with people regularly travelling across Shetland to stop by and some even visiting at one or two in the morning during the week.
“There’s an emphasis on keeping it quite quaint and quirky, like the cake fridge, so we’d be looking to keep the croft house as the croft house,” Johnson said in August.
“[We want it to be] something a bit different to what Shetland already has to offer. We’d hope to offer takeaways as well.”
Johnson, meanwhile, plans to keep the cake fridge open through the winter this year instead of closing in October.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 630 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.