A TAKEAWAY which had its licence revoked at the end of last year after an inspector was “obstructed” during a visit has been granted a new one.

The owner of Café Fresco had warned that the original decision by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, which restricted its alcohol sales, could have led to the closure of the business.

However, an amended licence has now been agreed, reversing the December decision.

Members of Bournemouth council’s licensing sub-committee agreed to revoke the licence for the Old Christchurch Road takeaway after hearing that one of its officers had to call for police back-up on an inspection.

Café Fresco had been included in a round of inspections carried out jointly between the council and police having been a “concern for some time” that it was operating outside of what its licence allowed.

A visit was carried out in October but licensing officers were not allowed into the building by staff until police were called and they were let in.

As a result, at a meeting in December, councillors agreed to revoke the licence allowing the sale of alcohol at the takeaway.

Following the decision, its owners warned the decision could force the business to close completely before they lodged an appeal against the decision.

A new amended licence has now been agreed between the council and Café Fresco, allowing it to resume sales.

Council licensing manager Nananka Randle said the new licence addressed the concerns that had led to the initial revocation decision.

“Following the licensing sub-committee decision last year to revoke Cafe Fresco’s licence to provide late-night refreshment and the sale of alcohol, we have worked with the premises to agree new conditions,” she said. “These have been added to the licence by way of a variation application.

“The varied licence was issued on April 30 and the court issued a consent order confirming the agreement and that no costs would be awarded.

“We are pleased with this outcome as it has addressed the concerns raised at the review hearing and should ensure the venue’s continued compliance with the licensing objectives.”

The consent order was issued at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 8.