Unbelievable dispute erupts over a very petty reason as cafe fights to save seven-year tradition: '

• Council forces bakery to remove seating
• Locals slam 'nanny-state' move 

An extraordinary battle has broken out in a wealthy beachside suburb after a council decided to ban stools being set up outside a bakery. 

Rollers Bakehouse in Manly, on Sydney's northern beaches, has been setting up the stools behind bollards set up on Rialto Lane since 2018. 

The Northern Beaches Council ruled on Tuesday that the seating posed 'ongoing safety risks' and voted to remove it permanently. 

A complaint to council had initially raised concerns about diners accidentally being hit by passing vehicles, such as Coles delivery trucks. 

The council placed numerous bollards in the lane and, after a nine-month trial, found eleven had been struck by vehicles - though there were no incidents involving patrons. 

An online petition begged locals to save their seating 'again' following the decision to ban the stools. 

'Our outdoor space has been a cornerstone of community connection without impeding essential road activities,' marketing executive Eliza Roberts wrote. 

More than 3,500 people have signed the petition. 

Enraged locals shared their support and slammed the 'nanny-state'.

'Spontaneous initiatives like these that create community should be treasured,' local woman Anjo said.

'Constantly threatening these initiatives with nanny-state rules only creates division and anger in our society.'

'Manly and all of its locals, local businesses, and visitors continue to benefit from harmless offerings like this,' Mitch added. 

'They create an eclectic and buzzing atmosphere for all to enjoy. To continue this self-sabotaging trend of wanting to mute Manly's soul is not in the best interest of locals or visitors.'

Former Northern Beaches political figures have voiced their support for the cause on social media. 

Rollers Bakehouse manager Loucka Stevens previously told the Manly Daily he hoped the council would strike down the proposal before Tuesday's vote. 

'We've been here seven years and there hasn't been an issue,' he said. 

'Our regulars really want to keep the seating, especially in the summer when they can sit outside and enjoy our croissants and pastries in the sunshine.

'We've been very mindful about keeping the furniture away from the roadway and keeping our customers safe.' 

Independent Northern Beaches councillor Vincent De Luca said there had been no record of previous incidents and feared the ban would finish the small business. 

He lodged a rescission motion lodged to return the matter for further debate at a council meeting next month. 

Councillors Bob Giltinan, Sunny Singh, both independents; Sarah Grattan for Your Northern Beaches; Bonnie Harvey with the Greens, and Ethan Hrnjack, also a Green, all voted in support of the bakery.

Cr De Luca said customers had never been involved in incidents, and the business is privately insured for injury. 

He added the council did not notify the Manly Chamber of Commerce before tabling the recommendation to end outdoor dining at the bakery.  

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