Coffee shop allowed to sell alcohol despite police fears

A coffee shop has been granted an alcohol licence despite an objection from police arguing the spot is already plagued by violence and disorder. British Transport Police opposed an application from Lisheen's Coffee Pod, based at Tenby railway station, after incidents nearby. The applicant, Nicola Nolan, was successful in getting permission from Pembrokeshire council's licensing committee for Lisheen's to sell alcohol from 11am to 10pm seven days a week. In its objection British Transport Police pointed to the mass disorder which broke out at the station at around 9.50pm on Tuesday, April 7. One of those involved was reported to have brought a knife, while four teenagers were taken to hospital with injuries. Some 11 people – all locals aged between 13 and 19 – were arrested on suspicion of offences including grievous bodily harm and violent disorder. Jessica Jones, from British Transport Police, said the station had seen 12 violent incidents over the past two years as well as three serious public order offences and vehicle crime incidents. The majority of those occurred between 9pm and 11pm, a timeframe overlapping the proposed hours of alcohol sales, Ms Jones pointed out. She said there were already many businesses in Tenby town centre selling alcohol, and questioned the need for a further offering at the station. Ms Jones argued there was “significant concern regarding the risk to a lone worker having to refuse alcohol sales to intoxicated individuals or manage customers who refuse to leave”. She told the committee that if the application were approved it would be the only such offering at an unmanned station in Wales, and would worsen "existing issues of violence and disorder". There was one other objection from a person who felt an alcohol sale point would bring "vandalism and violence such as stabbings by group gatherings". Speaking at the meeting, the applicant's husband Barry Nolan said they hoped to supplement the coffee pod with “genteel” and “trendy alcoholic products” such as wine, “really cool craft beer,” and Barti Ddu rum in cans for consumption elsewhere. It would not be selling “pints of lager and triple vodkas”, he said, and youths would be unlikely to congregate due to the products being at the premium price point. He also said security would be provided if needed. He then offered a reduction in alcohol serving hours to 8.30pm. After retiring to deliberate, committee members agreed to grant the licence subject to an 8pm cut-off. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here .