Seafront cafe's bid to sell cocktails and pitchers

The operator of a newly rebuilt café on Hove seafront wants to relax its drinks licence conditions "to better suit its beachfront location and customer demand".

The Meeting Place Café, in King's Esplanade, applied to Brighton and Hove City Council for a variation that would allow the sale of cocktails, pitchers and larger measures.

Dozens of people have objected, saying it would change the character of a much-loved seafront venue, make it alcohol-led, less friendly for families and dangerous for those drinking so close to the sea.

The application is due to go before a licensing panel on Tuesday.

The business is owned by Bulent Ekinci, 50, and run by Hikmet Tabak, 63, the designated premises supervisor who has day-to-day responsibility for alcohol sales, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In the licence application Mr Tabak said: "The measures prevent us from serving popular beach drinks like pitchers, cocktails and larger servings that tourists expect.

"With no history of alcohol-related incidents and robust safeguards... and staff training in place, this change will better reflect our casual seaside atmosphere while maintaining responsible service standards."

Draft conditions agreed with Sussex Police include requiring food to be available at all times and signs stating alcohol is for consumption on the premises only.

They have also said staff will check the outdoor area every 30 minutes and that doors and windows are closed at 22:30 BST.

One objector, whose details were redacted by the council, said: "Every year we have to register that another drowning has taken place off our beaches. Usually the victim has drunk alcohol. Avoidable deaths.

"Places selling alcohol for gain, right on the beach, is a terrible idea."

Another objector, whose details were also redacted, said it would become "a 'no go' area for families and anyone too faint-hearted to run the gauntlet of drunken groups of young men".

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