The Licensing Sub-Committee of Newcastle City Council met on Wednesday 24 September 2025 to consider an application for a new premises licence. The meeting was scheduled to be held virtually and live streamed via YouTube. Councillor Stephen Barry-Stanners, Councillor Jacqui Robinson and Councillor Nick Kemp were the scheduled attendees.

Kraven Coffee, 59 High Street, Gosforth

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Kraven Coffee, located at 59 High Street, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 4AA.

The application requested permission to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises only, between the hours of 11:00 and 22:00 every day.

The report pack included the applicant's proposals to promote the four licensing objectives¹. These included a written 'authority record' for all staff who sell alcohol, comprehensive training, contact details for the designated premises supervisor², the availability of food throughout the hours that alcohol is sold, and seating for all customers.

In relation to the prevention of crime and disorder, the application stated that the premises would operate an effective CCTV system, maintain appropriate staffing levels, train staff on security issues, and operate a zero-tolerance policy to drugs.

To promote public safety, the premises would install and maintain appropriate fire fighting equipment, maintain means of escape provisions, and ensure emergency warning equipment was in full working order.

To prevent public nuisance, the premises would keep the premises and nearby public areas free from litter, monitor and control noise, vibrations, smells and light pollution, display notices asking customers to be considerate of neighbours, restrict the movement of waste and recyclable materials between 22:00 hours and 07:00 hours, and supervise the orderly dispersal of visitors.

To protect children from harm, the premises would be promoted as family friendly, operate a Challenge 25 policy³, display appropriate notices, and train staff in responsible alcohol retailing.

Representations

The report pack included representations from Northumbria Police, the Local Planning Authority, and local residents.

Northumbria Police

Northumbria Police had no objection to the application, subject to agreed conditions. These conditions included:

• The premises shall trade as a licenced coffee shop and wine bar.
• There will be no change to the brand or operating style of the premises without prior written notice to the Licensing Authority.
• Alcohol shall only be consumed by those patrons sitting at tables.
• A substantial food offering will be available during the hours the premises are open
• Waiter/waitress service shall be available for all orders of food and drinks.
• The premises will not operate as a vertical drinking establishment (people standing consuming alcohol).
• A 'Challenge 25' policy shall be adopted.
• There shall be displayed suitably worded signage advising customers that underage supplies of alcohol are illegal and that they may be asked to produce evidence of age.
• Staff shall refuse to supply alcohol to any adult who they suspect to be passing the alcohol to those underage.
• An incident and refusals log shall be maintained on the premises.
• The premises licence holder shall ensure that all times when the premises are open for any licensable activity, there are sufficient competent staff on duty.
• The Premises Licence Holder shall ensure that all relevant members of staff receive training in their responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003.
• A CCTV system shall be designed, installed and maintained in proper working order.
• A written record must be available for inspection, detailing the names of those members of staff who are authorised by the Designated Premises Supervisor to sell alcohol.
• The Premises Licence Holder shall carry out a risk assessment prior to all bespoke events and functions taking place.
• The Premises Licence holder will endeavour to support local initiatives promoted by the police or other responsible bodies when appropriate.

Local Planning Authority

The Local Planning Authority objected to the proposed licence on grounds of prevention of public nuisance. They stated that the description of the operating schedule was that of a coffee shop/wine bar and is a mixed use of a drinking establishment with food offering (sui generis⁴) and therefore requires planning permission.

They stated that operating without planning permission would be in clear conflict in public nuisance as set out within National Planning Policy Framework and local plan policies CS7, CS13, CS14 and NC1 of the Core Strategy and Policies DM20, DM23, DM24 DM 27 of the Development Allocation Plan.

Local Residents

Several local residents submitted representations objecting to the granting of the licence.

Adrian Hill and Karen Hill of Elmfield Road, Gosforth, objected on the basis of the distinct possibility of increased nuisance to adjoining residential properties particularly by way of increased noise and disturbance. They raised concerns about limited parking, noise and disruption to residents returning to their vehicles after 10 pm, external bin storage, and servicing of the unit at the rear. They stated that the property would be better suited to standard retail use, as it was when trading as a bank.

Another resident objected to the application for a premises licence at Kraven Coffee, stating that it had the potential to cause further nuisance in the conservation area. They raised concerns about noise disruption, traffic, parking, and waste management. They also noted that the public notice of the application did not appear to state an expiry date for objections.

Sanjay Sood stated that his areas of concern were documented in his original objection and he had nothing more to add.