An extraordinary eight-month feud between a popular Perth cafe and furious western suburb residents has spiralled out of control, with one local taking the battle all the way to the Supreme Court.
The Dispute
Side Piece Deli, a trendy cafe in Swanbourne, has been at the centre of controversy since opening its doors in August 2025. Concerned residents have repeatedly raised issues with the Town of Claremont regarding increased road traffic, customers blocking footpaths, strong odours, and loud noise emanating from the Shenton Road eatery.
The matter escalated last month when Side Piece owner Sam Kaye, a Business 40 Under 40 winner, was forced to contact WA Police after a resident protested outside the deli using a megaphone. WA Police declined to comment on the incident when approached by PerthNow.
Council Meetings and Complaints
Local resident Kerry Wells had previously raised concerns about “noxious odours” from the deli at a council meeting in February. According to council minutes from the February 3 meeting, she asked, “How can residents have any confidence in the Town’s ability to solve this?” Another resident at the same meeting called the council approvals for the site a “mess that has been inflicted upon Swanbourne residents”.
At the most recent council meeting on April 28, a neighbouring resident raised a boundary violation issue, citing a proposal by Side Piece to build a screen along the fence. The neighbour stated, “The fence which Side Piece wishes to add to is partly on my land and I cannot give approval.” A land surveyor later attended the site, and the council ruled that the proposed structure is located solely on the deli’s property.
Supreme Court Action
The saga has now moved from the streets of Swanbourne to the Supreme Court. Neighbour Ian Satchwell has begun legal proceedings against the Town of Claremont, alleging that its approval of the deli was “unlawful”. In a writ, Mr Satchwell claims the popular cafe is operating as a fast food restaurant and has called on the council to overturn its planning approval and close the business.
The Town of Claremont confirmed the Supreme Court case to PerthNow but declined to comment further as the matter is ongoing. A spokesperson for the council said, “The Town continues to monitor compliance of the conditions of development approval, and this includes identifying opportunities for mitigation of any impacts to surrounding residents and businesses.” The civil case between Satchwell and the council will have its first court hearing on June 19.
Business Continues Amid Controversy
Despite the local tension, Side Piece Deli continues to receive rave reviews on social media. One food reviewer shared, “The food was immaculate and the service was top-notch.” Another wrote, “This is a must-visit if you’re in Swanbourne.” Sam Kaye, founder of The Pantry Group, which also owns Daisies and Ol’ Buoy in Cottesloe and The Other Side in Claremont, told Daily Mail that the resident and council issues have made Side Piece Deli his “most difficult” business to run. Mr Kaye and Ms Wells did not respond to PerthNow’s request for comment at the time of publication.
