A NEW restaurant could face restrictions to its licence after an objection from the Friends next door.
Wolfox has applied for a licence for its latest restaurant at premises in Prince Albert Street, Brighton, formerly a shop called Fired Earth.
But a neighbouring property, the Friends Meeting House, is owned by Religious Society of Friends, the Quakers, which is concerned that noise might disturb the silence during Sunday worship from 10.30am to 11.30am.
The application is due to be decided by a Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel on Wednesday.
A letter on behalf of the group set out worries about music and noise from extractor fans and alcohol sales. It is also concerned about the effect of noise on therapists, performers and organisations who hire the venue.
The Quakers have asked that no music be allowed until after noon on Sundays and is kept down during the week. In a letter to the council it said: “Our meeting house has a well-maintained garden where, as part of our service to the community, we give expression to our values of peace, equality and support for the earth.
“It is a delightful, quiet green space in an area of the city where both quiet and green spaces are rare. It is used as a place for repose and reflection by many members of the public from many different backgrounds.”
Wolfox wants to serve local wine, beer and spirits to about 30 people at tables, from 10am to 8pm.
It requested a licence to start at 11am daily, ending at 10pm Monday to Saturday and 9pm on Sundays.
The letter of objection said: “As Quakers, we have a long tradition of not allowing alcohol on our premises.
“The initial application is for a restaurant but, once they have the licence, we fear they might turn it into a pub. They propose to sell alcohol on seven days a week.
“We have concerns about public nuisance: people leaving the premises late at night abusing our garden, making a noise to disturb the peace.”
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