Northumbria Police has urged North Tyneside Council to refuse a new alcohol licence for a coffee shop in Tynemouth.
Cullercoats Coffee, on 69 Front Street, has applied to North Tyneside Council for a licence to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. However, the coffee shop states it would also provide outside seating to allow people to drink outside the premises.
Cullercoats Coffee has asked for permission to sell alcohol from 11am to 11pm, Monday to Sunday. However, Northumbria Police raised some concerns.
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Acting chief inspector Rebecca Fenney-Menzies wrote: "This application is for an off-licence in the cumulative impact area. This premises is not bringing anything new or fresh to Tynemouth Front Street.
"Northumbria Police are aware that in normal circumstances the cumulative impact policy does not cover an off licence. However, the situation with this application is the applicant is trying to cover both bases by offering an outdoor seating area in which to consume alcohol.
"The application is written in a way an on-premises licence would be described such as the applicant writing 'no children around the bar area'. And the timings for the alcohol sales do not mirror the opening times of an off licence.
"Northumbria Police request that this application for an off licence is refused."
Residents have also raised concerns, although have fallen short of asking for a blanket refusal.
One resident's representation read: "I believe that the council should be mindful that Front Street, despite a large number of businesses and eateries is also a residential area with other types of businesses.
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"Granting a licence to Cullercoats Coffee would mean that there are four premises in a row (Barca, Head of Steam, Toast, and Cullercoats Coffee Co.) all of which would have outside drinking areas and consequent noise for residents in the area.
Tynemouth councillor Chris Johnston said: "I do have reservations regarding the application by Cullercoats Coffee for a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003. Admittedly, this is an Off Licence application, nevertheless, if granted it would allow for the consumption of alcohol from 11am until 11pm in Cullercoats Coffee’s seating area outside.
"This is a loophole in NTC’s Cumulative Impact Policy, applications of this nature avoid the rigour of having to demonstrate that they do not add to the cumulative impact in this area. I fear this is yet another example of North Tyneside Council’s disregard for the Tynemouth Conservation Area and its residents."
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Some residents also requested the council restrict the licensed hours and forbid the playing of recorded music. Councillors will meet to decide on the application on Monday, October 31 at its Cobalt Business Park HQ.
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