An establishment in Hove has received approval to serve alcoholic beverages alongside food following a licensing determination.
Selina Simeonova Grigovova, the proprietor, submitted an application to Brighton and Hove City Council seeking permission to sell alcohol between 10am and 10.30pm each day at Intenso Espresso Bar, located at 236 Portland Road, Hove.
Three local residents lodged objections, expressing worries regarding possible rises in noise levels.
However, none of these individuals appeared at the council licensing panel meeting held the previous month.
The proposed operating schedule was adjusted to permit alcohol sales from 12.30pm until 10pm, with the venue required to shut its doors by 11pm.
Prior to the panel hearing, draft licence conditions were finalised through discussions involving Sussex Police and officers from the council’s environmental protection team.
The stipulated requirements included limiting alcohol service to customers who were consuming a substantial evening meal while seated at tables and receiving service from waiting staff.
Substantial offerings of hot and cold food had to remain accessible throughout all periods when alcohol was available for purchase, and menus were required to be prominently visible.
A trio of councillors – Andrei Czolack, Sam Parrott and Ollie Sykes – issued the determination to grant the licence on behalf of the council.
The council’s decision letter stated that the panel believed this operational approach, combined with all proposed conditions, would not adversely affect the surrounding area or compromise licensing objectives.
The panel further noted that a commencement time of 12.30pm for alcohol sales, a terminal time of 10pm and a closing time of 11pm would better support licensing objectives and were deemed suitable.
The applicant had agreed to these timings.
An additional condition was imposed requiring that the external seating area identified on the submitted plan remain inaccessible to patrons after 9pm.