Storm brewing over late-night curfew on city's coffee shops

Published on Friday 25 July 2008 10:49

A REVIEW is under way of council guidelines that prevent cafes and coffee shops in and around the Old Town opening later than 8pm.

Local businesses are hoping the policy will soon be scrapped, but residents today urged the council to stick by its rules – or even tighten them.

The restrictions are applied in "areas of sensitivity", which cover the Grassmarket, Nicolson Street, Buccleuch Street and Tollcross.

The scheme was set up in 1998 to help curb late-night noise and disturbance in areas where there are large numbers of both residents and commercial premises.

The 8pm curfew is imposed on owners wanting to open new daytime cafes, to ensure they do not later turn the emphasis away from food to alcohol and transform the premises into a late-night operation – adding another drinking establishment to areas where there are already dozens of pubs.

Separate rules apply to the Grassmarket and the Cowgate to stop new bars from opening until existing ones close down, while applications from traditional late-night operators – such as takeaways – are also handled differently.

The newly-opened Cafe Rodi on Nicolson Street – the former Gibson Tiling shop – was the most recent outlet to fall foul of the policy, after councillors blocked a bid to keep it open until 10pm.

Yemliha Kamber, whose father Teyfik owns the family-run cafe, said today:

"We wanted to open up a bit later, but the council didn't allow us.

"It's a bit stupid because the pubs are open until 1am and (cause] trouble, but we've not had any trouble since we opened.

"We do lose customers and it all adds up."

Councillors also imposed a curfew on the Nicolson Communication internet cafe late last year, blocking similar attempts to keep it open until 10pm.

Local Tory councillor Cameron Rose, a member of the planning committee, said:

"My concern is that, in some areas, we have too many rules. I have made sure that this will be reviewed over the next few months.

"It may well be that we dispense with the areas of sensitivity."

A council spokeswoman confirmed that the "development management handbook", which includes the guidelines, was under review, but said this was not expected to be completed until October.

Hilary McDowell, environment spokeswoman for the Southside Community Council, urged councillors to avoid scrapping the areas of sensitivity.

She said: "People live in the city centre and it should be possible for people to sleep in the city centre.

"A cafe culture just doesn't fit with a city centre where people actually live."

Peter Sharma, chairman of the Old Town Community Council, added: "The council has to be stricter in its approach.

"Otherwise, a small takeaway could get an alcohol licence and before you know it, we've got another bar."