THE controversy over the closure of Minehead’s popular Blenheim Gardens café grew this week when the owner, West Somerset Council, was accused of being “heavy-handed” and raising bad feeling in the town.

Suzanne Dean was forced to close the café earlier this month after 25 years, when her lease was abruptly terminated.

Suzanne’s family had run the café – a popular venue for young families – for over 50 years.

She was offered a new lease at a higher rent, plus further conditions including maintenance, but said it was not a viable option.

“The income from the café was simply not enough to pay the increase the council was asking,” she said.

Hundreds of people went on social media to mourn the loss of the café, described as “a very special place” and a “unique asset to the town”.

Now Cllr Terry Venner, a town councillor and district council member for Minehead North, which includes Blenheim Gardens, has complained to the council about the lack of consultation on the decision.

“In my 19 years on the council I have had more questions and comments about the café closure than any other subject, and so have other councillors” he said.

“People are still very angry about what has happened.

“The café belongs to the district council but Minehead should have had a say in what happens to it. Now it’s boarded up and it’s only a matter of time before it becomes vandalised.”

In a letter to Cllr Martin Dewdney, lead member for resources and central support, Cllr Venner said: “I am not happy that there was no consultation or member involvement in this decision.

“There is a groundswell of opinion in the town that the district council has been heavy-handed in its dealings with the matter.

He added: “I really need to emphasise to you the bad feeling against the district council this is raising in Minehead.

“As a district councillor, I am amazed that Minehead councillors were not consulted prior to the decision and were not included in the decision-making process.

“I look forward to receiving your comments and some explanation.”

Cllr Venner said this week that he had asked for the café closure to be put on the agenda of the next Minehead town council meeting.

“I fear it might be too late to do anything about what has happened, but we might be able to prevent something similar in the future.”