Stoke Newington cafe runs up against neighbours in bid for alcohol licence

A new cafe in Stoke Newington offering cocktails in the evening has sought to reassure residents that it wants to avoid disturbing them.

Daniel Fico said the two-storey cafe run by Atlas Grinds Ltd will be “very much a community-based venue” and will be LGBTQIA+ friendly.

The application states: “We care for families as we create a safe space for people to meet up while we also offer baby changing facilities that is becoming ever so rare.”

It also aims to sponsor Kynaston Gardens and “bring life back to the high street after lockdown”.

Fico told a licensing hearing that the small private garden will shut at 10pm to allow residents to enjoy peace and quiet and the venue will join the Pub Watch scheme and stop off sales at 11pm.

The venue has applied to serve alcohol between midday and 11pm between Mondays and Thursdays and half an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays.

However, nearby residents said they were concerned about disturbances.

Stephen Gutman told the council’s licensing sub-committee that the venue is “surrounded by residential buildings, some extremely close”.

He pointed out that several bedrooms are very close to the outside space.

Gutman added: “The 8am to 11pm [opening hours] do seem like a long, long time to me. And with outside noise as well.”

Stewart O’Brien said he feared “the noise of late night drinking will be intolerable”.

His tenant, who is a teacher, has already moved out, saying “they could not risk the noise and disturbance. Every single noise comes up into the bedroom”.

Fico told the committee that the tenant left before the cafe put in sound-proofing.

O’Brien also said the pavement near the venue is very narrow: “In certain circumstances getting out of the building can be intimidating.”

He said people who have been drinking can be “a bit belligerent and I don’t want that outside my building”, adding: “There are children that could have their sleep disturbed.”

Fico said there should not be any  disturbance after 10pm: “This is mainly for families, friends, people who want to enjoy a fine wine in the evening.”

He said the bar specialises in organic wines and he does not expect people to drink heavily. He said he was open to a condition for the garden to shut at 9pm instead of 10pm.

The licensing sub-committee (3 August) will publish its decision next week.