Harry Potter-inspired cafe magicked away by dark arts -- latest Ashfield plans

Playing the role of the evil Dementors are rowdy yobs, whose anti-social behaviour has forced the Wizard’s Den cafe, at Market View, on Market Place, to shut down.

When it opened in September 2023, owner Kirstie Roberts, from Sutton, promised “a magical experience for customers”, and said: “I want people to feel as if they are stepping out of the real world into a fantasy world.”

The small, themed venue duly proved a hit with adults and children alike, and 72 per cent of reviews on Tripadvisor gave it five stars.

One recent review read: “What a great, friendly place. Fantastic food and drink. Such a refreshing change.”

However, Kirstie announced this week: “Due to the current economy and Sutton drastically declining, I have made the decision to close our doors.

"This wasn’t an easy decision but, since opening, we have seen anti-social behaviour most weeks.

"Our customers sometimes felt intimidated to walk up to us due to the current state of Sutton town centre and people hanging around, screaming and shouting.

"We had a fabulous 18 months but could no longer carry on. Maybe if we had gone somewhere else, we might have made it work. But unfortunately, this wasn’t our time.”

As well as serving, breakfast, dinner, afternoon tea, coffee and cakes, the Wizard’s Den hosted special events, such as children’s birthday parties.

Ashfield District Council has now received a planning application from Amber Gregory to change the site from a cafe/restaurant to a tattoo and piercing studio.

There is already a highly regarded tattoo studio, Ink Envy, on the floor above the Wizard’s Den, and according to Ink Envy, it is their application to expand their own business into the ground floor area.

Meanwhile, changes are also afoot at the large, new Fulwood 190 warehouse unit at Export Drive in Huthwaite, which is currently empty.

The applicant wants to change its operation from solely storage and distribution to include industrial activities too, “providing an opportunity for the site to be occupied for a range of permitted uses”, thus creating new jobs.

There is also a three-storey office building on site, as well as 153 parking spaces, which would increase to 321 if the plan got the go-ahead.

A planning statement says: “The proposal would help ensure that a recently constructed unit, which is currently vacant, could be brought into use, making a beneficial contribution to the local economy within a sustainable location.”

Other planning applications received by Ashfield Council include these:

12 Stoney Lane, Selston – single-storey rear extension and raised patio.

192 Huthwaite Road, Sutton – flat roof to pitched roof of front canopy.

157 Mansfield Road, Selston – single-storey rear extension.

Wilkinson, Outram Street – remove cladding and canopy at front, and replace with timber cladding. Also remove secondary entrance at front and replace with new cavity wall, and remove external rear entrance.

145 Wagstaff Lane, Jacksdale – ground-floor rear extension and first-floor extension to bathroom.

22 Oakham Drive, Selston – first-floor side extension and single-storey rear extension.

33 St Andrews Street, Sutton – demolition of conservatory and construction of single-storey side and rear extension.

Mill Pond Cottage, Newbound Lane, Sutton – single-storey side extension.

Eon UK, Little Oak Drive, Annesley – application to determine if prior approval is required for demolition of office building.

23 Greenbank Drive, Sutton – application to determine if prior approval is required for single-storey rear extension.