A coffee shop boss wants to turn her premises into a restaurant in the evening, with a licence to serve alcohol, but she her proposal faces objections from neighbours.
Selina Simeonova Grigovova applied to Brighton and Hove City Council to sell alcohol from 10am to 10.30pm daily at Intenso Espresso Bar, at 236 Portland Road, Hove.
Three neighbours objected to the licence, raising concerns about crime and disorder, public safety and public nuisance.
Draft licence conditions have been agreed with Sussex Police and council environmental protection officials, in the event that a licence is granted.
A licensing panel, made up of three councillors, is due to decide the application at a hearing on Friday (25 September).
If the licence is granted, drink would only be available for consumption on the premises to customers served by waiting staff while seated at tables and having a main meal.
Substantial hot and cold food would have to be available at all times when alcohol is on sale and menus would have to be clearly on display.
A closed-circuit television (CCTV) system would have to be operating and available to the police at all times and officers would have the right of access at all times.
Signs on all exits and outdoor areas used for smoking must include wording asking people to respect neighbours and leave quietly.
An anonymous objector, whose details were redacted by the council, raised concerns about loud music during the current hours of operation – and before – escalating into the evening.
The objector said: “There are already plenty of licensed venues in Portland Road offering all manner of styles of business for all audiences, from pubs of all styles, to other cafés with licences and cocktail bars.
“I fundamentally do not believe that granting more licenses in this area will positively benefit the street, only negatively, as it is already at capacity.
“Granting such a licence will negatively impact the operation of other business in the area too, at a time when on-trade venues are struggling.”
Another anonymous objector, whose details were also redacted, said: “The premises is directly opposite a junior school.
“The introduction of licensed alcohol sales in such close proximity raises legitimate concerns around safeguarding, public nuisance and the character of the immediate environment, particularly where operating hours may overlap with school activities, events and after-school use.”
A third anonymous objector, whose details were also redacted, said: “I am particularly concerned about the period between 10.30pm and 11pm.
“Although alcohol sales would cease at 10.30pm, customers will still be leaving the premises and dispersing into the surrounding residential streets.”
If councillors grant the licence, the objectors want enforceable conditions on the outdoor seating area, customer dispersal, people congregating outside and the hours when drink can be sold.
The licensing panel hearing is due to start at 10am on Friday (25 September). The meeting is scheduled to be webcast.
Ah, the standard practice of starting a cafe n food outlet,,, with the intention of applying for a booze permit,, because people REALLY NEED A DRINK, feasability would have shown that if it can’t survive as a cafe then it should never have been allowed to open because the intent all along IS BOOZE. Feasability on application starting point would have shown intent,. close it, too many of them around just vying to sell more BOOZE.