Vegan restaurant in Brighton granted alcohol licence

The restaurant, planned for 95 Gloucester Road, Brighton, is within the ‘cumulative impact zone’ where Brighton and Hove City Council restricts the number of new licensed premises.

Neighbourhood’s drinks licence application was opposed by representatives from the North Laine Community Association.

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They said that adding another licensed restaurant to the scores already in the area would result in increased anti-social behaviour.

Neighbours described the area as ‘saturated’ with licensed premises.

But the council’s licensing department said: “The applicants point to the modest nature of the application and their pre-consultation with responsible authorities and conditions they have agreed with the police.

“The panel has considered very carefully the concerns of local residents and recognise the sensitivities of this residential area.”

Concerns were raised about two restaurants with outdoor seating close to each other in the same pedestrian area.

After discussions, it was agreed that no more than ten people could sit outside Neighbourhood and the outdoor area would close at 7.30pm and be cleared by 8.30pm.

Alcohol can be served from noon until 10pm.

Neighbourhood is owned by Laurence Hill, manager of the Fortune of War pub, who started operating a small pop-up café in what was Inside Out.