Residents Battle to Tear Down Seaside Café Ruining Coastal Treasure

In November 2025, residents near one of the UK's "untouched" coastal treasures are engaged in a battle to tear down a seaside café that they say ruins the stunning views. An enforcement notice has been issued against a shipping container café located beside a popular beach in North Wales, with critics arguing it is an eyesore that detracts from the area's natural beauty.

The controversial café was set up in the summer of 2024 by Ian and Alice Paice, who operate a nearby campsite. The owners claim the café is a mobile structure that is part of their wider campsite operations, but the local Gwynedd Council disagrees, stating the container has only been moved once in two years and is not easily relocatable.

The area's most famous draw is the Trefor Sea Stacks, a series of dramatic rocky formations beneath towering cliffs. Locals and the National Trust argue the café's presence is "significantly detrimental" to the largely unspoilt countryside setting. The council has also cited issues with traffic chaos and the café's impact on the local Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The owners have mounted a second challenge against the council's enforcement notice, but Gwynedd Council remains firm that no conditions could be imposed to make the development acceptable. As of November 2025, the future of the controversial seaside café remains uncertain, with residents determined to protect the area's natural coastal treasures.