A cafe has been granted a licence to sell alcohol despite concerns over antisocial behaviour.

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

During an Enfield Council licensing sub-committee meeting on June 26, licensing consultant Noel Samaroo acknowledged the “concerns with a new operator” and fears over problems getting worse.

He said the Metropolitan Police had carried out a “thorough investigation” of the applicant’s plan, which originally proposed later hours, but withdrawn its objection after these were reduced and amendments made.

The applicant previously proposed opening from 9am until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, but this was reduced to daily hours of 9am to11pm. The sale of alcohol was previously proposed from 9am to10.30pm, Sunday to Thursday, and 9am to12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, but this was also reduced to 11am to10.30pm daily. 

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year, a premises licence application was submitted for the cafe when it was under previous management, but this was withdrawn due to police concerns over the applicant.

Mr Samaroo explained that with the new application, licensee Armando Kelmendi had taken over only three months ago and had not yet opened 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 cafe is due to open soon.

Mr Samaroo 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.