Rollers Bakehouse owner James Sideris has lost his bid to keep outdoor seating at his upmarket Manly bakery after Northern Beaches Council voted down a motion to overturn its removal.
The popular Rialto Lane bakery, known for its croissants, coffee and pastries, has offered stools, benches and tables outside since 2018, attracting up to 600 customers on weekends.
After a December 2023 complaint raised safety concerns about trucks and tradies’ vehicles using the service lane, Council ordered the seating removed.
In July 2024, Rollers was granted a nine-month trial permit, only for councillors to vote against its continuation in August.
According to The Daily Telegraph, during Tuesday’s meeting, independent councillor Vincent De Luca’s rescission motion to reinstate the seating failed. Good For Manly councillor Candy Bingham argued the lane was not suited to dining, saying: “It’s a very dangerous situation.”
Sideris disputed the safety concerns, insisting none of the bollards in front of Rollers had been damaged and arguing the bakery had helped revitalise the precinct.
“Northern Beaches Council and certain councillors need to stop their war on small businesses,” he said.
More than 3,700 people signed a petition supporting Rollers’ outdoor seating, which Sideris described as “a cornerstone of community connection without impeding essential road activities.”
He said he was willing to find a compromise: “I’m open to coming to a solution with the council and meet in the middle … that works for us to keep the seating and works for the council, which mitigates their concerns around safety and liability.”
Source: Daily Telegraph.
