Police fear of ‘boozed-up’ city builders

Jan 29 2008 by Gareth Rogers, South Wales Echo

A CONTINENTAL cafe owner is celebrating being allowed to serve alcohol but police fear it could lead to boozed-up builders.

Portuguese restaurant owner Cassia Freitas says she is delighted that she has been allowed to sell alcohol from 10am until 10pm at her Cathays cafe the Sugar Shaker.

After a meeting of Cardiff council’s licensing sub-committee, in which police asked for a list of restrictions to be put on the cafe, the licence was granted – giving Mrs Freitas a chance to expand her Crwys Road business.

She said: “It will be business as usual for the time being but this gives us a great opportunity.”

Bill Freeman, representing Mrs Freitas in the hearing, said: “Mrs Freitas wants the opportunity to give customers a cold beer or a glass of wine with their lunch if they want one.”

But South Wales Police licensing officer Glyn Northcott claimed selling alcohol at 10am could encourage regular breakfast customers – such as builders and other tradesmen to drink early.

After asking for the licence to start at 11am, he said: “We have no problems with restaurants generally but we would not like to see builders having a pint with their bacon sandwiches in the mornings.”