The operator of a newly rebuilt café on Hove seafront wants to relax the drinks licence conditions “to better suit its beachfront location and customer demand” but dozens of people have objected.
The Meeting Place Café, in King’s Esplanade, Hove, applied to Brighton and Hove City Council for a variation that would allow the sale of cocktails, pitchers and larger measures.
Neighbours fear that this would change the character of a much-loved seafront venue, making it alcohol-led, less friendly for families and dangerous for those drinking so close to the sea.
The application is due to go before a licensing panel made up of three councillors after more than two dozen people lodged written objections.
The business is owned by Bulent Ekinci, 50, and run by Hikmet Tabak, 63, the designated premises supervisor who has day-to-day responsibility for alcohol sales.
In the licence application Mr Tabak said: “The measures prevent us from serving popular beach drinks like pitchers, cocktails and larger servings that tourists expect.
“With no history of alcohol-related incidents and robust safeguards … and staff training in place, this change will better reflect our casual seaside atmosphere while maintaining responsible service standards.”
Mr Tabak originally applied to remove requirements that alcohol should be served with a meal and those drinking should be seated but after discussions with Sussex Police, those proposed changes were withdrawn.
Draft conditions have been agreed with the police including one that requires food to be available at all times and another that requires signs stating that alcohol is for consumption on the premises only.
No off sales are permitted and the application does not propose changing the hours on the licence – from 10am to 10.30pm each day.
Mr Tabak proposed a condition that staff check the outdoor areas every 30 minutes to prevent noise disturbance and to collect empty glasses and rubbish.
He also agreed to a proposal by the council’s environmental health team that doors and windows are closed at 10.30pm.
One objector, whose details were redacted by the council, raised concerns about public safety. The café is by the boundary of Hove and Brighton, between the Peace Statue and the sea.
The anonymous objector said: “Every year we have to register that another drowning has taken place off our beaches. Usually the victim has drunk alcohol. Avoidable deaths.
“Places selling alcohol for gain, right on the beach, is a terrible idea – and just to line the vendor’s pockets? Really?”
Another objector, whose details were also redacted, raised concerns about anti-social behaviour.
The anonymous objector said: “It seems obvious to me that this will make the area around the Peace Statue and the eastern end of the promenade and lawns a ‘no go’ area for families and anyone too faint-hearted to run the gauntlet of drunken groups of young men.
“Hove Lawns and the promenade will become degraded, litter-strewn and ultimately unenviable. The Meeting Place is not a pub nor should it become one.”
Green councillor Ollie Sykes is among the objectors. He represents Brunswick and Adelaide ward, in Hove, which includes the premises.
The licensing panel due to meet online, starting at 10am next Tuesday (10 June). The meeting is scheduled to be webcast.
How much better, the Meeting Place when it was a humble pitstop for yhose on the hoof.
Agreed. The Sussex-style bargeboard Meeting Place had charm and open air seating. Will the Lawns Cafe be next to ruin their pitch by erecting a whopper and apparently being able to take ownership of a prime area of public beach?
Is all they do in Hove is moan and object, remember the new bowling place where the crud’s over the road objected, well the place is running fine with its drinks licence and guess what no will debauchery.
It’s NIMBY boomers expecting their massively extended lifespan to not experience any change whatsoever. The most molly coddled, whinging, complaining, arrogant and self focused generation who have ever infested these isles, with far too many years of retirement to meddle in other people’s business.
Please do Not have alcohol (which is a drug in itself) served from these premises. There is a enough of these in close proximity. It is a family area a passing stop for refreshments. We do not need more anti social behaviour. I live along brunswick terrace have waited long enough for this building to be completed and celebrated its opening dont spoil it because of alcohol
The usual, blinkered, self centred objectors moaning about things that are very unlikely to happen as a result of this proposal. The place looks far more upmarket now compared to the ‘shack’ that it used to be and it will be a nice option for people to enjoy a beer, glass of wine or a cocktail.
The argument put forward about not selling alcohol near the sea is laughable.. should we be ban drink sales everywhere south of the A27?
They can presumably already enjoy the beer and wine – just not the cocktails, pitchers and large measures. Can’t see it’ll enhance the area much given there’s no shortage of drinking establishments even in that part of Hove
Let’s be honest everywhere wants to sell Alcohol right now
The Bandstand sells it one way-near to the New Place-other way is Rockwater & that’s close to the Sea.
The Fishing Club does aswell near to Lagoon so does the Cafe ( Fat Boy Slim)
Maybe not so long hours 11.30am till 8-9pm
“It seems obvious to me that this will make the area around the Peace Statue and the eastern end of the promenade and lawns a ‘no go’ area for families and anyone too faint-hearted to run the gauntlet of drunken groups of young men”
“Hove Lawns and the promenade will become degraded, litter-strewn and ultimately unenviable. The Meeting Place is not a pub nor should it become one.”
Absolute twaddle, loads of people bring alcohol with them down to Hove Lawns and that section of the beach that they brought with them from the shops on Church Road. If anything, having somewhere there to get a drink there will lead to less people bringing bottles and cans with them and less litter.
He spends the best part of two years disrupting the area to erect a whopper of an ugly cafe on a public beach in a Conservation Area, spoiling photographs of the Angel of Peace statue and blocking out the sea view, and now has the cheek to start demanding an alcohol licence as well as longer opening hours. What is his deal? Was he allowed to buy that piece of public beach? Is he renting the land from the council and if so, how long is the lease when other seafront premises are getting theirs shortened from 25 years to 5 years? There is no shortage of licenced premises in the area for drinking. Noise from the beach carries at night. Please. No. This individual has had enough council favours, and it stinks.
You sound completely mental.
How?
Why are you so triggered by the above being noticed?
Oh, come on. You personalise the issues like an idiot would do – how do you earn your living? As a retired judge? Why should people who want to have a good time within all the usual constraints not be able to enjoy themselves that side of the bandstand? I don’t want to be in your no go retirement zone, thanks
Some of the comments here are wild.
Plenty of places on the seafront have an alcohol license. Many people bring beers to drink on the beach and Lawns.
The building looks great. Some very unhappy people will moan and find conspiracy in everything.