In recent months, many residents have asked if and when the popular Axminster Arts Cafe – closed in October 2020 after a break-in and fire – will reopen.

Leaseholders Jim and Hilary Reaney have expressed their frustration with building owners Axminster Town Council, over slow progress of the repair work and negotiations for an increased rent, but the council says it has to charge a "fair and equitable rate" for the benefit of council tax payers.

Experienced in the hospitality trade, Mr and Mrs Reaney had successfully run the cafe, at The Old Courthouse in Church Street, for four years before the fire. 

The gates to the public courtyard outside the cafe had initially been locked at night, but on request from the public, were left open for six months prior to the break-in.

Mr and Mrs Reaney raised increasing concerns over dog mess, underage drinking, drug taking and anti-social behaviour in the area. They requested that the gates be locked at night again for fear of vandalism to their business, and in October 2020 staff arrived at work to find the cafe had been broken into and a fire started.

Most of the damage was smoke related and Mr and Mrs Reaney had hoped they would be back up and running within six months, but it has now been more than two years. 

Speaking exclusively to Axminster Nub News, the couple said that most of the repair work had now been completed, and only small tasks that could potentially be finished in a relatively short time remained, such as fitting new counter tops, shelving, tiling and fixing the boiler. 

But they have expressed frustration with Axminster Town Council, saying progress has been slow with the finish date having been continuously pushed back. 

Mrs Reaney said: "We are totally frustrated and desperate to get up and running again, and so is the town. People ask us all the time when we will be opening.

"We have lost our business after building it up successfully; it was well loved by our customers and provided jobs for local staff.

"We just don't understand why they won't finish the last few bits."

A long-standing member of staff at the Arts Café said she was keen to return to her previous job, but said she believed the council had been "uncommunicative and uncooperative".

Mr and Mrs Reaney have not had to pay rent on the cafe while it has been closed, but have continued to pay overheads such as electricity bills, standing charges, machine rental and have paid their staff redundancy.

They are now in negotiations with Axminster Town Council about rent payments for when the cafe reopens, but are not happy with the proposed increased charges, saying the council should be supporting local, independent businesses. 

In response, Axminster Town Council released the following statement: "The council is keen to see the café re-open as a public amenity to complement the garden space at The Old Courthouse but also recognises – as with all our leases – that we must charge fair and equitable market rates so that the taxpayers of Axminster are not subsidising any particular trader. 

"The inability of the two parties to agree on lease terms and conditions has been partially the cause of delays in re-opening the venue. 

"The rental income from our property portfolio is key to our budgetary spending plans and so we are keen to see a resumption of rental income from this source naturally and the council sought independent advice on rents and service charges to ensure that what we proposed was indeed reasonable and comparable with other properties."

Mr and Mrs Reaney have also raised concerns that the outdoor tabes and chairs in the public garden had been taken away and would not be returned for their customers to use. 

They have also spoken against the planned removal of the damaged bandstand, which they hoped could instead be repaired. 

In response, Axminster Town Council said: "With regards to the bandstand and outdoor seating, the council has resolved to make better use of this space for the wider public amenity and also to take into account the need to ensure a safe environment for all users. 

"The lease of the Arts Café allows for the use of tables and chairs in the cobbled courtyard area but councillors decided not to permit the use of tables within the garden area as users preferred to have seating here; indeed, with the installation of new benches, an arbour and a significant amount of new planting, the council is keen to promote the garden space as a place of quiet relaxation and tranquillity, rather than an extension of the leaseholders curtilage.

"Works continue within the Arts Café unit following the fire subject to ongoing negotiations between the two parties."