THE fate of Andover's first cat cafe hangs in the balance after those behind it have been hit with another hurdle.

After being a finalist at the Youth in Test Valley Awards last year, Jack Waue received mentorship from New Street Dental Care in Andover to open his own Cat-Fe. 

Jack's inspiration to open a Cat-Fe in Andover started when he visited Romsey's Paws for Thought in 2019, alongside being a big cat lover - having three of his own. 

After past struggles with finding premises, Jack and his father Stuart Waue confirmed that if everything goes as planned their Cat-Fe will be opening at 2 Winchester Street, which was last used as the Andover Tap. 

READ MORE: Cat Cafe Andover: Teen finds suitable premises despite struggles

However, Stuart has now informed the Advertiser that the pair have been hit with another blow. 

He said: "I'm sad to say that, due to several delays imposed on us by the Test Valley Borough Council planning department, the Andover Catfe project may now be dead in the water.

"They claim that these delays are just a 'slight setback', but the reality is that these delays have a snowball effect that has now very much destroyed any chances we had of setting up and opening in time to make it a success."

Due to the delay, Stuart has said they may now have lost their second contractor who was available to carry out the works.

Before a planning application can be approved they are waiting for a change of use for the premises to be given.

Stuart continued: "We can't afford to spend £10,000 plus getting this work done if there's still a chance we won't be granted the change of use. That would then result in us spending more to get the property put back to return to the landlord.

SEE ALSO: Cat cafe Andover: Teen determined to open venue but needs space

"We've also had a business loan provisionally approved since mid-July and ready for funds to be released on confirmation of planning approval, but that now has a fast-approaching deadline.

"Our initial hopes of being open for at least some of the school holidays were dashed by the first delay. This delay has now not only made that an impossibility but has put doubts on whether we may even be able to open for the October half term."

Stuart has been left feeling worried that this will be the "end of the Cat-Fe project".

A spokesperson from Test Valley Borough Council said: “During the course of assessing the planning application for the Cat Cafe, it was identified that the proposed use would represent more than three consecutive non-shop uses within an area where our policies are intended to maintain shop uses. As a result, we are required to advertise it as such under the relevant planning regulations.  

"The application had to be advertised again in the local newspaper for a minimum period of 21 days from the date of publication and a new site notice was needed. These revised requirements mean that the council is unable to make a decision until the new publicity period has expired. The fact that the application has been advertised in this way does not mean to say that it has to be refused.”