A new artisan bakery could soon be opening in Monton – despite fiery opposition from some neighbours.
New plans for 59A Clifton Road will transform a knackered old industrial unit into a modern confectionery and baked goods business. The bakery and coffee shop, Monton Crumb Works, would offer takeaway products as well as a ‘modest’ number of dine-in spots, with seating for 36 customers over a ground floor and mezzanine level.
The building in Eccles was once home to a metal works with unrestricted hours of operation. The bakery’s opening hours are set between 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 4pm on weekends and bank holidays. The business owners have indicated that this includes times when the shop would be open to staff only to get ahead of the baking process.
But not everyone was keen to have a bakery on their doorstep.
Mr Mann, who has lived next door to the unit since 1996, told a planning committee on Wednesday, June 11: “I just think a bakery in this area would cause a lot of issues with noise, pollution and extra traffic, with the number of visitors and deliveries, including early mornings. It will cause sleep disturbances for the neighbours, and I’ll also have constant smells of baked goods drifting into the houses.
“There are already issues with parking in the area due to people parking there to access the high street. It’s going to cause stress and friction with all the residents on the street.”
Another neighbour, Mrs Johnson, shared she did not object to the business, but was concerned about the refurbishment works due to take place on the building. In total the application received eight objections from members of the public.
Mr Robert Hodgson, who represented the applicants, argued the project would ‘bring investment and jobs into Salford and revamp a building that is currently well in need of TLC’.
Councillors discussed the suitability of the Sunday opening hours, raising concerns that it could cause noise disturbance to surrounding residents. They ultimately decided there was no legal planning reason to amend the opening hours, prompting an angry and sweary outburst from the public gallery.
The scheme was approved and developers have three years to start the works.
