Luxury chocolate chain Hotel Chocolat has won its fight to serve alcohol at its new Richmond store, despite local opposition.
The upmarket retailer, which opened its boutique shop and café on George Street in December, got the green light from Richmond Council to sell booze from 9am to 9pm daily.
The store will offer alcohol for takeaway purchase and serve drinks at exclusive tasting events throughout the year.
Local group Friends of Richmond Green had fought the plans, worried about drunk customers disturbing neighbours. The shop sits in a strict licensing zone meant to curb disorder.
The group wanted tough rules, including a ban on weekend tastings and events during Twickenham rugby matches. They also pushed to cap attendance at 20 people and block under-25s.
While Hotel Chocolat agreed to these terms, council lawyers tweaked the final conditions. Under-18s can now attend with adults, while those looking under 25 must show ID. Events will be limited by café seating capacity, with a maximum of 20 tastings per year.
Peter Willan from the community group voiced concerns at the January hearing about the changes to their "sensible" proposals. But he added: "We want Hotel Chocolat to be successful. I think it really is important that we have a premises like Hotel Chocolat in Richmond in George Street."
The firm's licensing expert Andrew McGrath assured that take-home alcohol would be weaker and in smaller bottles than nearby shops, with "tiny" tasting samples.
Council chiefs backed the plan, ruling Hotel Chocolat wasn't primarily alcohol-focused. They added extra safeguards, banning free booze samples on rugby days and window displays of alcohol.
"The sub-committee noted that Hotel Chocolat is an established and experienced operator," their report stated, adding that conditions would "ensure that the licensing objectives would not be undermined in this Cumulative Impact Zone."
The evening tastings will be ticketed affairs featuring welcome drinks, chocolate sampling including boozy varieties, demonstrations and special offers.
The decision comes as Hotel Chocolat pushes ahead with major expansion plans following its takeover by Mars last year. The chain aims to launch 25 new UK stores and two overseas branches as it targets US growth.
