A popular eatery has denied that it will exacerbate problems with drug abuse and anti-social behaviour outside a Newcastle school if it is allowed to sell alcohol.
Bosses at Pablo Eggsgobao are hoping to branch out from their successful bao bun and coffee offering by developing their city centre site into a new “community hub” and function space.
The breakfast and brunch specialist opened in Blandford Street last year, after proving a big hit in Whitley Bay, and is now bidding to secure a licence to serve booze from noon to 11pm as part of the latest plans.
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But the proposal sparked concern from the neighbouring Callerton Academy, which is temporarily based at the neighbouring site of the former Discovery School until its permanent home is built in Newbiggin Hall.
The Gosforth Federated Academies trust, which the Callerton Academy belongs to, warned Newcastle City Council that Pablo Eggsgobao’s plans could “add to the existing disorder issues already being experienced and further encourage anti-social behaviour” – claiming that discarded needles are found near the school and that people urinate on its doors.
But councillors were reassured at a hearing on Tuesday that the problems were nothing to do with the quirkily-named takeaway – and that the proposals could actually help tackle them.
Solicitor Sarah Smith, representing owner Emma Dent, told Newcastle City Council’s licensing sub-committee: “That is not what my clients have experienced in the area. They have not witnessed that sort of paraphernalia or incident.
“But, in any event, clearly those things are not caused by my clients’ business.
“When you bring in new businesses to an area and regenerate an area it attracts more regeneration, which is a positive thing.
“Added to that is the CCTV and lighting that a business brings and it deters people from using those areas as places to take drugs or urinate or defecate, etc. By encouraging development, you push anti-social behaviour away from the area.
“That is the experience they have had in Whitley Bay. When they opened their shop on Station Road it was a bit run-down and tired, and there were social issues. Since they opened, other businesses have opened too on that street and it is very much a vibrant hub. Those problems have been eradicated.”
Ms Smith, who likened the venue’s development to that of Ernest in Ouseburn, said that the “modest” plans to serve some alcohol from the cafe would be limited to local beers, speciality craft ales, natural wines, and spirits.
She also told the committee that booze would only be served to customers who are seated and would not be allowed to be taken outside the building, while there are plans to use the space for supper clubs and as a gallery.
The school trust also warned that children’s lessons are disrupted by noise already from the Tipsy Cow pub and that it feared further nuisance, though Ms Smith said there was no intention to play loud music at Pablo Eggsgobao.
The council will issue a decision on the cafe’s licence application within five working days.
