A coffee shop in Hove has been granted a drinks licence so that it can serve alcohol with a meal.
The owner, Selina Simeonova Grigovova, applied to Brighton and Hove City Council for a licence to sell alcohol from 10am to 10.30pm daily at Intenso Espresso Bar, at 236 Portland Road, Hove.
Three neighbours objected, citing concerns about the potential for increased noise, but none of them attended a council licensing panel hearing last month.
The proposed hours were amended to run from 12.30pm to 10pm, with the premises to close by 11pm.
And draft licence conditions were agreed with Sussex Police and council environmental protection officials before the panel hearing.
The conditions included restricting the sale of alcohol to diners having a main meal, seated at tables and served by waiting staff.
Substantial hot and cold food would be required to be available at all times when alcohol was on sale and menus would have to be clearly on display.
The decision to grant a licence was made on behalf of the council by a panel of three councillors – Andrei Czolack, Sam Parrott and Ollie Sykes.
The council said in its decision letter: “The panel considers that this style of operation, with all the conditions proposed, is not likely to have a detrimental effect on the area or undermine the licensing objectives.
“However, the panel does consider that a start time for the sale of alcohol at 12.30pm and terminal time for the sale of alcohol of 10pm and then a closing time of 11pm will further promote the licensing objectives and was appropriate.
“The applicant was willing to agree to this.
“The panel further added a condition that the outside seating area as shown on the plan is not to be available for in use to customers after 9pm.”
