A new cafe which is planning to open 24/7 during TT is operating without planning permission, it’s emerged.

Tradesman Cafe, based at Ivy House on Douglas Head Road, officially opened in January and has been serving customers between 8am and 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 6pm at weekends.

It is currently advertising for staff to work over the TT period when it will be open 24 hours a day.

A planning application by Onchan-based Petromanx Holdings Limited for change of use of Ivy House from warehouse into joinery workshop, furniture showroom and retail area, and coffee shop was submitted in November (17/01160/C).

But a decision is still pending - meaning that the cafe is operating without planning permission.

It is understood that the planning department is aware of the situation but is unable to taken enforcement action because there has been no decision yet on the application.

The application prompted objections from neighbours on Taubman Terrace who complained about unacceptable levels of traffic.

The highways division has also objected on the grounds of insufficient parking.

One couple on Taubman Terrace said they were concerned at the time taken to reach a decision.

They said: ’It is astonishing they wish to open 24 hours a day in a residential area throughout the whole TT fortnight.

’This is completely and utterly unacceptable to local residents.

’We and any visiting guests should not be subject to the excessive disturbance and disruption in a residential area, not having our rest and sleep put at risk by some desperate money-grabbing business.’

The advertisement for TT jobs posted by the Tradesman Group reads: ’If you are looking for a great place to work and be part of the TT atmosphere with the opportunity to meet some of the riders then this is the place for you.’

Boss John Window told the Examiner: ’I suppose we are in breach. It will be dealt with as a retrospective issue.

’Planning have taken a long time and that’s part of the problem. We anticipated we would have our plans dealt with in January.

’We’ve done everything we possibly can to get this resolved.

’We’ve done a parking survey and are now awaiting a response. No neighbours have complained directly to us.’

Mr Window said the business, which offers a sit down and take-away breakfast and lunchtime menu, had been building steadily with a great number of loyal customers and had a large following on Facebook.