A Richmond coffee shop's application to vary its opening times has been met with opposition from some local residents.

Danish coffee brand Hagen Espresso Bar has applied to vary its existing licence so that it can open and sell alcohol from Monday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm.

Currently, the shop opens Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 6pm.

Part of the proposals includes adding four stools and four tables with eight seats outside the shop, which some have argued would reduce pavement space for passers-by.

One resident said: "This objection is on grounds of the Public Safety Licensing Objective whereby people, in using and passing the premises, are at risk through the proposed narrowing of the public pavement.

"Shown on the architect's plan outside the shop front are four cocktail stools external to and up against the front window. Further away from these, extending to 3.8 metres out from the shop front onto the public pavement, are four tables each with two seats.

"This has the effect of reducing the public pavement width to 1.5 metres; more likely to 1.3 metres when customers are arriving at and leaving their tables. These customers will be endangered in the process, as will passers-by."

Another resident added: "Their plan encroaches onto the pavement used by many local people and is adjacent to a loading and unloading area which already impinges, with deliveries frequently deposited on the pavement en route for local shops.

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"If these tables are allowed, the remaining pavement area will be unsafe."

Hagen Espresso Bar says it is "a Danish specialty coffee bar combining Nordic design, craftsmanship, and hospitality".

The shop offers coffee, food and a curated selection of alcohol to enjoy on site, or in a limited range for takeaway.

Takeaway alcohol is served in sealed bottles, cans or lidded cups, intended for consumption away from the premises.

The premises licence application will be considered today (Wednesday, 21 January) at Richmond Council's Licensing Sub-Committee meeting.

To read the full agenda item click here.

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