Lobster Cafe granted alcohol licence

Lobster can now serve alcohol between midday and 11pm each day.

And despite concerns over possible noise disturbance, the Old Square cafe was also granted off-licence permission to allow diners to purchase alcohol to take home - provided the containers are unopened. The restaurant, which currently opens until 4pm except for private evening parties, can now welcome around 20 diners each evening.

Owner, Si Kwang Lee, who was represented by a friend at the hearing, said that due to having no garden area or outside seating, it was very unlikely that any problems of people drinking and causing a disturbance outside the building would arise with alcohol sales.

Three objections were made from residents nearby, and the owners of 7 Square restaurant and bar who raised fears over noise and the impact on their own business if rubbish is left on the streets outside the square.

The 7 Square owners said: “Offering off-license sales is simply unnecessary, there is no space and a lot of concerns it will cause a disturbance outside for residents.”

A fourth objection made by a resident was submitted after the end date and so was not accepted by the committee.

Councillors agreed that as no objections had been made by environmental health officers or the police, and that the application met all requirements, changes would be granted on condition that off-license sales were restricted to customers.