A café will be allowed to serve alcohol after councillors decided it would not cause any nuisance

A waterfront café has won permission to serve alcohol despite residents’ fears over anti-social behaviour and parking demand.

Gosport Borough Council’s licensing sub-board granted the application for The Coffee Quarters at a meeting on July 28, allowing the sale of alcohol on and off the premises between 9am and 5pm, seven days a week.

Two residents had objected to the plans, raising fears about expanding upon the site’s commercial use, increased antisocial behaviour and pressure on parking.

Coffee Quarters opened in June last year at The Royal Haslar Waterfront Village | Alec Chapman

placeholder image — Coffee Quarters opened in June last year at The Royal Haslar Waterfront Village | Alec Chapman

Concerns were also voiced about limited CCTV coverage, bin storage issues and the potential for additional litter from bottles.

Objectors further questioned whether the proposed hours, particularly the Sunday opening, were necessary, and warned that customers travelling to the café could increase car use in the area.

However, the sub-board heard that no objections had been raised by either Hampshire Constabulary or environmental health officers.

The applicant told councillors alcohol would be a secondary offer to the café’s main business, describing the venue as “family-oriented”.

Coffee Quarters at The Royal Haslar Waterfront Village | Alec Chapman

Measures including CCTV, staff training and a Challenge 25 policy have been agreed with police, while the premises’ lease restricts operating hours to 9am to 5pm, preventing evening events.

The hearing was also told that noise levels would be monitored, while customers would be encouraged to respect neighbours and any litter would be collected regularly. In its decision, the sub-board said it had carefully considered all representations made about the proposal.

Members concluded the risk of public nuisance was limited due to the restricted daytime hours and the conditions attached to the licence.

They also noted that issues such as commercial demand could not be taken into account.

Residents were told they can seek a review of the licence if problems arise, with options including tighter conditions or revocation.

The Coffee Quarters, which opened in summer 2025, operates as a coffee house within the historic Royal Hospital Haslar site, a former naval hospital set in more than 60 acres of grounds.

The licensing application comes amid wider regeneration of the Haslar waterfront site. The scheme includes new homes, a retirement community, care facilities, a hotel and a health centre.