A NEW cafe, which feels the border town it's in is on a knife edge, wants to be able to extend its opening hours to ensure its viability.

The Cosy Cafe is gearing up to open in Hay-on-Wye's High Town, but is having to ask the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority if it's allowed to change its opening hours.

The new cafe is hoping to open its doors next month, but current planning conditions means it can only open to customers between 9am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am and 5pm on Sundays.

But consultants said in a design and access statement submitted with the planning application said these hours need to be extended as otherwisde the financial viability of the business would be harmed.

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They said Hay-on-Wye is a town "on a knife edge of change" and the coronavirus pandemic has had a "devastating effect".

But there was a glimmer of hope from the consultants, who said the regeneration project at Hay Castle should encourage more visitors to the border town.

The current hours mean the applicant, Emma Price, will be forced to close the business while footfall is still available.

"More and more tourists are staying overnight and for longer periods on holiday therefore a wider experience of retail and dining needs to be offered for the town to flourish, longer opening hours are key to this required much needed offering," the design and access statement said.

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"The applicant wishes to vary condition 3 to afford opening hours from 8am to 6pm Monday to Wednesday and 8am to 9pm Thursday to Saturday, Sunday will remain as existing (11am to 5pm).

"An 8am opening targets locals and tourists for breakfast. Extending until 6pm Monday to Wednesday and until 9pm later in the week gives people the opportunity to eat/drink and shop after a busy day at work or up the mountains.

"Or perhaps capturing those meandering through the town centre after a busy day for an ’amuse bouche’ before retiring to a more formal eatery for supper.

"This a key financial strategy as currently there is nowhere to go eat/drink/shop early evening before going for dinner at the pub or a restaurant.

"The business will serve drinks and nibbles. This will certainly not to encourage any late-night rowdiness but more of a sophisticated cafe culture type atmosphere that the town council are equally trying to encourage with the provision of tables and chairs in the butter market and memorial square."

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority is yet to make a decision on removing the condition.