Brighton café granted late drinks licence

A popular Brighton café has been granted a late licence despite being in an area where new licences are restricted.

The Mad Hatter, at the junction of Montpelier Road and Western Road, opposite Waitrose, had its application approved by a Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel.

The panel was told that the café, which includes a newly converted basement area, is in a “special stress area”.

In licensing law, these are areas of special concern in terms of the levels of crime, disorder and public nuisance experienced within them.

The Mad Hatter, which has a good reputation, was given permission to serve drinks from 10am until midnight, with the outside area to be closed by 11pm.