The Lacy Nook, in Barrett Road, which specialises in serving Balkan food, is facing pushback from the council on plans to serve alcohol until 11pm, reports Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter
A Walthamstow café’s plans to serve alcohol later have been challenged by health officials over concerns about public nuisance and lawfulness.
The Lacy Nook, in Barrett Road, which specialises in serving Balkan food, applied to Waltham Forest Council to push its closing time back by an hour, from 10pm until 11pm.
The applicants also want to increase the maximum volume of alcoholic drinks they serve, from a half-pint to a pint of beer and from a 125ml glass of wine to 150ml.
The operators say it would keep the business viable in an “increasingly challenging economic climate”. However, the council says they do not have legal permission to operate their restaurant.
Licensed premises in London need to adhere to four ‘licensing objectives’: the prevention of crime and disorder, upholding public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
The restaurant says it would mitigate nuisance by assigning a member of staff to monitor noise levels, display ‘prominent’ notices asking patrons to respect neighbours, and keep a book to record incidents.
There will also be a “wind down” period between last orders for drinks and the restaurant’s closing time. Drinks would only be available for seated customers, and patrons will not be able to take them off-site.
However, officers from the council say they “strongly object” to the scheme as the applicant “does not have permission” to operate the venue as a restaurant. Additionally, they have received complaints from neighbours regarding “rubbish and noise”.
Planning permission was previously refused, with officers saying a restaurant in Wood Street Studios was “unacceptable in principle” and would “adversely impact” the area.
In a letter to the council, owner Elena Smileva argued the restaurant had not received or logged a single complaint since it opened in June 2023.
She wrote: “We take our responsibility as a business within the community very seriously and have always prioritised maintaining a positive relationship with the residents. Our commitment to responsible operations, noise management and customer conduct has ensured that we remain a respectful and valued presence in the area.”
A decision will be made on the licence at a hearing next week.
The Lacy Nook first opened in 2022 as a restaurant in Stoke Newington, according to promotional material on the eaterie’s website.
“Our goal was to serve tasty dishes with unique flavours: plates full of personality and distinctive tastes predominantly from the Balkan region,” Elena says. “We have now brought this to Walthamstow.”
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