A BLACKWOOD bakery has been forced to lodge an application and fork out hundreds of dollars for having tables and chairs outside its shop — despite having the furniture there for years without incident.

Mitcham council recently told Akkerman’s Bakery owner Tim Bull he had to cough up almost $500 to have tables on the footpath outside his Main Rd shop, after someone made a complaint.

Under Mitcham’s outdoor dining policy, businesses must pay a $250 application fee, plus $60 annually for each table it has on the footpath.

However, Mr Bull had never previously been ordered to pay a fee for his four tables.

He said the council ordered him to pay only after a member of the public complained the furniture obstructed the footpath.

“There was a person who complained, otherwise (the council) said they’d let it go,” Mr Bull said.

“For me, I’m more annoyed with that one person. Even the council said it shouldn’t have been a problem.”

Mr Bull has paid the application fee while he waits for the council to decide if he can keep the tables — until then he’s had to pack away the tables and chairs.

After the member of the public initially complained to bakery staff about having to walk past the furniture, Mr Bull moved the tables closer to the front of the shop.

However, a complaint was still made to the council.

“I’m annoyed one person has complained and it’s come to this,” Mr Bull said.

“All he’s done is cost me, a small business, money. It’s already a struggle to have a small business.”



Pie Face make Australia's biggest meat pie for Australia Day Pie Face make Australia's biggest meat pie for Australia Day

Locals took to Facebook to vent their anger about the situation, one warning the council to “be careful”.

“It tends to be a hard spot to make ends meet in that location,” the post read.

“The council should be asking how can we support your business and build this area commercially.”

Mitcham Council was last week unable to provide information on how many businesses were charged the outdoor dining levy, how many complaints had been made about furniture on footpaths and if there was any correlation between the two.