Coffee shop's evening alcohol plans approved
The Nest Coffee House in London Road sought permission for a premises licence from Southampton City Council.
The application went before a licensing sub-committee after three representations were made by residents, who live near the site.
Designated premises supervisor and director Nathan Alexander said the proposal was to offer an alternative after the working day following a request from customers.
Councillors were told the coffee shop was planning to offer 'very low-level alcohol availability'.
'We are not looking at doing cocktails or any pumps,' Mr Alexander said.
'It was purely to have several cold bottle offerings to offer something a little bit different to a cup off coffee at 6pm in the evening on a Friday night.
'We would possibly run alongside low-level events like cheese and wine evenings, low-level acoustic music with no amplification, just local bands.'
He told the licensing committee on Wednesday, July 30, Nest was not looking to be a bar or add to the night-time economy in the area.
The premises licence included the supply of alcohol from 12pm until 10.30pm Monday to Saturday and until 9pm on Sunday.
The venue will also be able to host live music from 6pm to 10pm on Monday to Friday, 5pm to 10pm on Saturday, and 5.30pm to 8.30pm on Sunday.
However, Mr Alexander said the coffee shop's goal was to stay open until around 9pm or 9.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
He said initially the premises might start with just Friday and Saturdays to 'see how it goes'.
Summarising the proposal, Mr Alexander said: 'It was really just to compliment what we already do.
'We have got quite a nice vibe in the place and it is something customers have asked for.
'We have had a look at it and from a business point of view it works for us but we are primarily a coffee shop and a place of work for students and offices and meetings.'
The meeting heard Mr Alexander had past experience running bars in Southampton and London.
Sub-committee chair Cllr Gordon Cooper said the resident objections largely raised questions about wider tenure of the London Road area.
Mr Alexander said he 'totally' understood the concerns, adding that he is an active part of a business collective which is trying to address some of these issues.
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