CITY centre residents are protesting against the prospect of a licence being granted to a small restaurant in a tourist hotspot.

The application has been made at Café At The Walls in Bridge Place, Lower Bridge Street by Patrick Anthony and Bee Song Anthony.

The restaurant is adjacent to the city walls and the Bridge Gate.

Approval is being sought for the supply of alcohol between 8am and 1.30am seven days a week, recorded music and late night refreshment indoors and outdoors, licensing officers have been told.

Alcohol would only be supplied on the premises to people taking substantial table meals and an outside area would close after 11pm.

No takeaway food or drink would be sold after the same time.

The city council has had seven representations, one on behalf of 10 other residents.

City Walls resident Rosemary Willis, who lives near the café, says it started as a tea shop and the sale of alcohol “would be bound to present many problems”.

These include noise, congestion on the narrow entrance to the city walls, food smells and loud music.

John and Margaret Crompton, also of City Walls, say they are concerned about increased noise and disturbance, especially late at night in the quiet residential area.

Owner of the adjoining property, Michael Barry, has sent in a detailed five page objection pointing out the premises, which he argues have been for sale for the last 12 months, are “very small” and any intensification of use is likely to cause serious problems.

He is also worried about late night opening and potential anti-social behaviour.

Ken and Sylvia Thompson of Bridge Place say they fear noise and activity in the street up to 2.30am or later while P M Radford, writing from Eaton Road, Handbridge says he is concerned that people going home will cause litter and noise problems.

Ten other occupiers have signed a letter with Walter and Carol Vick of The Shipgate, Shipgate Street raising concerns ranging from smashed bottles and offensive and unpleasant lingering cooking smells to litter, noise and parking problems.

Miss P M Pask, also of City Walls, suggests that disturbances and confrontations may arise if drink or entry to the premises is refused in the late hours.

She also refers to break-ins which have taken place.

Mr Anthony reiterates that alcohol would only be sold with food and the outside area would close after 11pm.

He would also operate the Challenge 21 proof of age scheme.

Environmental protection officers point out the restaurant adjoins residential properties and that once a licence has been issued, there is no legislation available to the city council to deal with noise in the streets from patrons leaving the premises or smoking.

The application is due to be considered by the city's licensing act sub committee at a meeting at the Crown Plaza Hotel on Tuesday (October 28) at 10.30am.