Planned new Aldermans Hill coffee shop applying for alcohol licence

Thanks to the resident who first noticed this. There are issues about the timing of this which need exploring, quite apart from the idea itself.

Lakeside Road residents are now considering our next steps.

I asked the café if this was normal procedure for a café/coffee shop & he said that he doesn't need this type of licence for their service. Please be aware that this is a totally different regime than planning. Licensing applications have to meet different criteria. Enfield website states:

Local residents and businesses can object to applications for premises licences under one or more licensing objectives, which are :

•Prevention of crime and disorder
•Promotion of public safety
•Prevention of public nuisance
•Protection of children from harm

You will notice this is difficult to comment on before the nature of the premises is known.

According to the date of the notice, the 28 days has almost expired even though the notice was only displayed yesterday.

The Planning application for the change of use to a café could control the hours of opening. I hope the planning officers will have included this in their consideration?????

I would feel very nervous walking home from the station at night having to pass by drinkers sitting at the pavement tables. (Where will the smoking area be?) Unfortunately, it may have to open first to see how it is managed. That is why the conditions on the Planning app for change of use may be more relevant in controlling the hours.

Ahh the problems of the Lake roads!

As the freeholder of the shop in question I can assure everyone that it is not the intention to create a danger or nuisance. It will indeed become a coffee shop "plus" and is expected to become a useful and much needed amenity which will enhance the area. It will certainly not become a pub or wine bar, though wine may sometimes supplement their offerings (no one complains of wine being served in restaurants), and operations will not continue till late in the evening.

It is not my place to explain the new owners' plans, which should becomes manifest in the next few weeks, but I will request that they display some kind of information board in the shop whilst modifications are being made inside.
That they have not already done so is purely because the new lease has only just been completed.

Hi George,
The problem it's not with what is being described as the concept but matching this with the extent of the premises licence application and the amount of outside use being applied for.
Once such a broad licence is granted for the premises and the outside area there's nothing to stop a very different operation facing residents.
Colin

Hi Colin,
I can understand your concerns in the absence of detailed information. I too would be concerned for the sake of my residential tenants in the flats above so I have had certain protections built into the lease, regardless of whatever planning consent or licences might be granted.
As for the amount of outside space they have applied for no more than other establishments on the road already have.

Interesting that you are asking for additional protection. The thing is that the on line licence application does give details about hours and types of activity. What are indoor sports by the way?
Does anywhere else on Aldermans Hill or Green Lanes have such a large area for eating and drinking on the pavement?
I'll leave it there I think.
This is written as a resident of Lakeside Road.
Colin