When folk are brave (or rich enough) to make a legal challenge - this case shows that complaints which council employees feel they are obliged to support can be be viewed far more sensibly by the courts.
After deliberation the chairman said the bench had decided in favour of Mr Prentis and added that the matter should not have come to court in the first place.
In his closing remarks he said: "As ordinary citizens we are extremely disappointed a public body should not seek to resolve these issues with the parties involved.
"Instead they have committed everyone to money spent from the public purse and put unnecessary stress and strain on a local trader of good repute. We wonder why we should be here."
After the hearing Mr Cagney said: "I feel very pleased indeed for a client who has had a very troubled year from the date this notice was served without any prior warning, any discussion or negotiation."
Mr Prentis said: "The council should be supporting local businesses, not trying to stop them trading. They have used taxpayers' money for something that shouldn't have happened. In the end the black and white word of the law threw it out and I want to thank the people who have been so supportive. I especially want to thank the Broadstairs and St Peters Chamber of Commerce and the 4,000 people who signed the petition in support."