Cafe owner: I don’t want to upset residents

THE owner of a Parbold cafe has responded after residents of nearby retirement homes objected to an alcohol licence application.

West Lancashire Borough Council will decide today whether to grant a licence to the Lou Ren Cafe to start serving alcohol.

The application alarmed people in supported accommodation at the neighbouring Beacon Crossing development as it would enable drinks to be sold until 11pm nightly.

Residents at the homes, which are a mixture of flats and bungalows, sent 17 objections, raising concerns over noise and the presence of drunken people.

But the cafe’s owner, Geraldine Unsworth, said that she had no intention of upsetting neighbours or causing any nuisance.

She took over the cafe in May and said she did not wish to change the business to more of a pub style, but simply allow existing customers to enjoy alcoholic drinks with their food.

While the business would stay open later than usual a couple of nights a week, there was no intention of opening late at night seven days a week.

She said: “It’s a cafe we’re running primarily, that’s not going to change. We just want to give people the chance to have a drink with their food.

“We’re a small family business, it’s just myself and my daughter and I’ve no intention of working late nights every day.

“Part of the reason I bought this business was to try and win back some of that work/life balance.”

She added: “Whenever I’ve spoken to the residents when they come in and I’ve explained what we’re doing, they’ve felt better about it.

“When I talk to them when they come into the shop, their concerns are more that they thought they would be living next to a pub.

“I’ve got an elderly mother and I do understand their worries. I’m very happy to discuss it and I’m happy to find a solution on Thursday that suits everyone.”