- Havering Council has granted planning permission to GentCo Barbers in North Street, Hornchurch, to operate a takeaway coffee service via a front‑facing hatch.
- The new coffee hatch will be ancillary to the existing barber‑shop use, not a full‑scale café or restaurant.
- The change of use is limited to serving hot drinks through a hatch, without altering the core business of the barbershop.
- The proposal was formally logged as “Proposed takeaway coffee service via front hatch, ancillary to the existing barber shop use” on Havering Council’s planning‑applications list.
- The approval means customers can collect coffee while on the move, particularly benefiting pedestrians and those visiting the shop for haircuts or grooming services.
- Local residents and media outlets have highlighted the idea as a novel way to revamp the North Street streetscape and add a casual, quick‑service option.
Hornchurch (East London Times) – March 26, 2026 – Havering Council has granted planning permission for GentCo Barbers in North Street, Hornchurch, to run a takeaway coffee service via a front‑facing hatch, marking a shift from pure barbershop use to a dual‑purpose service offering both male grooming and hot drinks. The decision follows a planning application labelled “Proposed takeaway coffee service via front hatch, ancillary to the existing barber shop use,” which was reviewed and approved by the local authority under reference number P0089.26.
What was approved?
The consent allows GentCo Barbers to operate a small‑scale takeaway coffee operation through a hatch facing North Street, without converting the premises into a full‑fledged café or restaurant. As described in the council’s planning‑applications list, the hatch‑based service is explicitly defined as ancillary to the existing barber‑shop use, meaning it must remain secondary to the primary business of haircuts and grooming.
Local media including the Romford Recorder noted that the proposal was framed as a “coffee hatch” aimed at serving passers‑by, reinforcing the idea of quick, grab‑and‑go service rather than sit‑down dining. The Romford Recorder’s coverage positioned the scheme as a creative way to add a low‑impact refreshment point into the busy North Street corridor.
How does this affect the street?
North Street already hosts a mix of retail, food, and service outlets, and the new coffee hatch is expected to increase footfall without significantly altering the street’s character. Residents and local commentators cited on social media praised the concept, describing it as a “cool” addition that injects a bit of novelty into the shopping area.
At the same time, the council’s planning‑applications record stresses that the change is limited in scope, effectively preventing the business from upscaling into a full‑service café with extended seating or kitchen facilities. This approach aligns with standard practice in high‑street planning, where ancillary uses are permitted so long as they do not intensify traffic, noise, or waste‑management pressures beyond existing levels.
Why did the barbershop propose this?
While GentCo Barbers has not issued a detailed public statement to the press, the underlying rationale appears to be both commercial and experiential. By adding a coffee hatch, the business can cater to customers who wish to grab a drink while waiting for a haircut, as well as to pedestrians who may not be entering the shop for grooming at all.
The barbershop’s Instagram presence highlights its focus as a “fashion‑focused men’s hairdressers” that prides itself on customer service and professionalism. The addition of a coffee service could therefore be seen as an extension of that service‑oriented model, turning the physical premises into a more rounded lifestyle destination for local men.
What does Havering Council’s record show?
In the council’s Planning Applications Received list for late January to early February 2026, entry P0089.26 is listed under North Street with the description: “Proposed takeaway coffee service via front hatch, ancillary to the existing barber shop use.” The application was handled by agent Mr Ivan Jaffa, “5 The Cobbles, Ivan Brentwood, CM15 8BP,” according to the document.
The council’s internal record does not include a detailed public‑interest statement or objections, suggesting that the proposal was treated as a minor change of use which conformed to existing planning policies. Previous enforcement‑related documents from Havering show that the authority has been vigilant about unauthorised expansions of café fronts and canopies, underscoring that the approval for a hatch‑only service is deliberately constrained.
How are local media and social media reacting?
The Romford Recorder ran a short piece framing the plan as a “coffee hatch” that would serve passers‑by, describing it as a straightforward, low‑impact addition to the local scene. Elsewhere on social‑media platforms such as Facebook, local users responded with informal but positive commentary, noting that the scheme “would be cool” and could add a bit of life to the street.
By contrast, no mainstream news outlet has reported significant local opposition or controversy over the proposal, which indicates that the change of use has so far been received as a gentle, non‑disruptive update rather than a contentious planning debate. This muted reaction may also reflect the council’s careful definition of the hatch as merely ancillary, which helps to dampen concerns about noise, litter, or extended operating‑hour pressures.
What does this mean for similar businesses?
Havering’s approval could set a precedent for other small‑scale “hatch‑style” interventions in North Street and other high‑street areas in the borough. If the coffee hatch operates without generating complaints linked to traffic, noise, or cleanliness, the council may be more inclined to treat similar ancillary‑use proposals favourably in future.
At the same time, the council’s own enforcement notices relating to unauthorised café‑front enlargements show that any attempt to exceed the approved hatch‑only model would likely trigger enforcement action. This means that if GentCo Barbers or any other business later seeks to expand into a broader café format, it would need to submit a separate planning application and face a more rigorous assessment.
How does the coffee hatch fit into wider town‑centre trends?
Across the UK, town centres have been experimenting with “hatch‑style” food and drink outlets as a way to maintain footfall without committing to large, expensive restaurant units. By approving a hatch adjacent to an existing barbershop, Havering is effectively encouraging a hybrid model in which a service‑based business adds a small‑scale hospitality element to its offer.
This aligns with broader guidance in planning documents, which often encourage mixed uses that keep high streets active during the day and into the evening, while avoiding over‑concentration of commercial uses that can detract from residential amenity. The coffee hatch at GentCo Barbers can therefore be seen as a micro‑example of how local authorities are nudging high‑street businesses towards more flexible, multi‑function formats.
What could happen next?
Once the consent is implemented, the key questions will be how the hatch is operated in practice and how residents and neighbouring businesses respond over time. If operating‑hour patterns, delivery schedules, or outdoor queueing arrangements begin to cause nuisance, the council’s planning‑enforcement team has the power to review whether the use remains within the approved ancillary‑service remit.
In parallel, local media such as the Romford Recorder and similar outlets are likely to revisit the story once the hatch is physically installed and trading, providing a later opportunity to assess customer uptake, street‑life impact, and any unforeseen issues. For now, however, the decision stands as a modest but noticeable change in the character of North Street, Hornchurch, signalling a move towards more hybrid, service‑plus‑refreshment commerce on the high street.
