CAFFE Nero on Epping High Street will stay open after district councillors backtracked on their decision to force it to operate as a retail outlet.

The whole saga has cost the council £11,500 in a three year planning battle after it opened in 2006 without permission.

A retrospective application to allow Caffe Nero to run as a cafe was refused by the council in 2006 and since then attempts have been made to force it to operate as a retail only shop – effectively closing it down.

Now, district councillors have agreed that because of the current economic climate, it would not benefit Epping High Street to have another empty retail unit.

Speaking at the Area Plans meeting last night (August 12) Cllr Richard Morgan said times had changed since the last application was submitted.

He added: “We have got to move with the times. We don't want any empty shops in Epping.”

Epping Town Mayor and district councillor Janet Hedges said: “I personally would hate to see the death of a thriving business in Epping. I live in Epping and see it everyday and there's always someone in there. In this economic climate I don't think we can do without somewhere like that.”

Justifying the council's decision to change their mind about taking enforcement action Cllr Anne Grigg said: “When we set about enforcement action it was a different economic situation.”

Caffe Nero will be allowed to open from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and from 9am to 5pm on Sunday.

Caffe Nero's Finance Director Ben Price said: "I'm pleased and I think that common sense has prevailed."