An Isle of Wight seafront cafe will be allowed to sell alcohol despite neighbours’ concerns it would cause an increase in anti-social behaviour.
Twelve objections had been made against The Lazy Wave Cafe’s plans to serve drinks to customers on Shanklin Esplanade from 10am to 9pm, seven days a week.
However, at a meeting of the Isle of Wight Council’s licensing sub-committee to determine the application today (Friday, August 18), none of the neighbours turned up to object in person.
Mr Rawlins, on behalf of the cafe, said it had been completely blown out of proportion as they would still be a dessert parlour, which would like to sell alcohol, and not become a bar.
The increased income from alcohol sales would also help the café keep going, he said.
In written representations, one resident said the café was at the ‘quiet’ end of Shanklin Esplanade but if the licence was agreed it was bound to increase noise and general nuisance levels.
Another said the additional opening hours would be ‘intolerable and unacceptable’ and they ‘did not wish to have their idyllic retirement home interrupted by unnecessary change and disturbances’.
Mr Rawlins said: “If there was an issue already then I could understand but we are considerate and we do take residents into account when we make improvements or change the café.”
He also said the café would not realistically open until 9pm very often and it would only be for special event nights.
In a written statement, environmental health officers said they were unaware of any formal nuisance complaints made about the café since the Rawlins’ took over three years ago.
The officers said while the café is near residential properties, the hours of activity proposed were considered reasonable and they had ‘no pressing concerns’ the licence would undermine the prevention of public nuisance or safety.
The council’s sub-committee granted the licence, subject to the conditions already discussed with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary to reduce the risk of public nuisance.
They will now be enforceable as part of the licence, meaning CCTV will be installed , staff will be given training, a Challenge 25 policy put in place and all drinks served in paper or plastic containers.
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