A Richmond coffee shop's application to sell alcohol has been granted by Richmond Council, despite concerns about noise and anti-social behaviour.

Danish coffee brand Hagen Espresso Bar applied to change its opening hours so that it can operate and sell alcohol from Monday to Sunday, between 10am and 6pm.

Richmond Council's licensing sub-committee granted the application with conditions after hearing from the applicant and a local residents' group.

Hagen Richmond's application for an alcohol licence originally focused on the Christmas period, from November to the end of January, during which the shop wanted to serve mulled wine between 10am and 9pm.

The applicant, Fruzsina Olan, said that the other 21 Hagen branches already hold alcohol licences and that there have been no issues.

Ms Olan told the sub-committee on 21 January that the premises normally closes at 6pm but there is a desire to open later for special occasions, such as the run-up to Christmas.

She later added that while the premises' opening hours are 7am to 6pm, alcohol would only be sold between 10am and 6pm. Customers arriving before 10am would not be served alcohol.

Ahead of the meeting, the application received four objections, one of which was from Peter Willan.

He explained to councillors that Richmond already suffers from anti-social behaviour and that approving Hagen's application to sell alcohol might encourage other cafés to apply, creating further difficulties.

Friends of Richmond Green (FoRG) opposed the application but said they would accept it if certain conditions were implemented, including:

• Off-premises alcohol sales must be sold in sealed containers and accompanied by food
• Staff must manage the dispersal of customers, reminding them to leave quietly
• Staff must monitor and disperse large groups lingering outside the café
• Noise from the café must not disturb neighbours
• Deliveries must take place between 8am and 9pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 9pm on Sundays, except in exceptional circumstances

In response to Mr Willan's concerns, Ms Olan clarified that the premises does not use delivery drivers and said additional measures could be introduced if required.

She added that the customer base is not young and consists mainly of parents and families, and that most mulled wine sold is consumed on the premises.

In her closing remarks, Ms Olan said Hagen is committed to working with the Council and local residents to maintain a good environment and positive relationships.

In its reasons for granting the licence, the sub-committee stated that "Hagen is an espresso bar rather than a pub or a club and wishes to provide a limited offer of a single product".

It added: "There would be a small number of units sold for seated patrons, predominantly with food, with a small number of off-sales of sealed cups of mulled wine or bottles sold for consumption at home.

"The applicant also withdrew the application for a seasonal variation at the hearing, so the sale would be restricted to 10am until 6pm Monday to Sunday. Any variation to this would be through a Temporary Event Notice application."

Hagen Espresso Bar describes itself as "a Danish speciality coffee bar combining Nordic design, craftsmanship and hospitality".

To read the full agenda item from the licensing sub-committee meeting on 21 January, click here.

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