THE OWNERS of a new car wash business in Beaminster have launched a petition to show the council the extent of local support ahead of a possible closure.

James Gibbs and Katherine Burgiss opened J's Car Wash and Sandwich Bar at the old garage on Whitcombe Road in January. But the couple were told last week that they do not have the correct planning permission. They are concerned they may be forced to close the venture if they do not gain approval.

Katherine said: "It was a bit of a shock when people from the council came down - but we have done all the paperwork now and sent off an application.

"We thought we would start the petition to prove to the council how many people want us to stay open.

"The local community has been brilliant and actually want us to stay open and be here.

"Everyone has come in and told us how great we have been doing since we opened and everyone has been really supportive."

James was concerned enforcement action would be taken by the council if the couple did not comply and now faces a nervous wait to see if the business can continue to operate.

"Apparently someone has made a complaint to the council and we had an officer come down" he said.

"There used to be a garage here, which is why I took it on. It still has a lot of the pipes and things you need, so it made sense to re-open it. It is bringing a service to people that they want.

"Locals really likes it . Everyone comes in and says how great an idea it was to open.

"With a planning application, it is so hard to judge whether you are going to be successful or not, and I don't know how I'm going to get on. I can't really do anything about it, but the petition is really just to show how much support with have from the local community. We already have eight A4 sides full of signatures , which is quite a lot, considering it's a small town like Beaminster."

Leader of West Dorset District Council, Cllr Anthony Alford said: “An enforcement notice has not been served.

"We have asked the owner to submit a planning application for the use of the site as a car wash and sandwich bar instead of the use of the site for car sales.”