Objections to the licence from the Metropolitan Police were withdrawn after the proposed late trading hours were reduced, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

The business previously traded as Scutari Restaurant (credit Google) — The new café will open at premises in Green Lanes previously trading as Scutari Bar and Restaurant (credit Google)

A Palmers Green café has been granted a licence to sell alcohol despite concerns over antisocial behaviour being raised by locals.

B7 Café Bar and Lounge at 12 Green Lanes had been subject to scrutiny due to local issues with “crime and disorder” in the area and some residents saying they don’t want “a third bar that serves alcohol”.

During an Enfield Council licensing sub-committee meeting yesterday (Wednesday 26th) licensing consultant Noel Samaroo acknowledged the “concerns with a new operator” and locals not wanting problems exacerbated.

But he said the police had carried out a “thorough investigation” of the applicant’s plan, which originally proposed later hours, but following a request these trading hours were reduced and amendments made which led to the Metropolitan Police’s objection being withdrawn prior to the hearing.

The applicant previously proposed opening from 9am until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, but this was reduced to daily hours of 9am-11pm. The sale of alcohol was previously proposed from 9am-10.30pm, Sunday to Thursday, and 9am-12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, but this was also reduced to 11am-10.30pm daily.

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Last year, a premises licence application was submitted for the cafe when it was under previous management, but this was withdrawn due to police concerns over the applicant.

Noel explained that with the new application, licensee Armando Kelmendi had taken over only three months ago and had not yet “done any trading” as the premises was still being revamped. He said Armando had taken a lease from the “existing leaseholder” but that they would have no input “whatsoever”.

The café is due to open soon. Noel said: “Mr Kelmendi is a new operator, we’ve written a very robust operating report, knowing Enfield as I do, Enfield has a very strong enforcement team.

“He is under no delusion that as a new business he will be under the spotlight, he will be expected to operate his business within the conditions which I’m sure he’s going to do.

“I want to allay concerns the community may have, where there’s been reference to ‘drug-dealing’ and other issues – it’s not his premises, because it isn’t open.

“We thought he should be allowed the opportunity to show he is not going to cause those problems.”

Following discussion, committee members George Savva, Sabri Ozaydin, and Jim Steven announced the application would be granted.

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