A COFFEE shop in Christchurch has taken a step forward in being able to sell food as late as 2am.

Baggies Coffee House was successful in its appeal against the decision of BCP Council to refuse it a licence in August.

It followed the decision of the High Street business to scrap its request to be able to sell alcohol, prompting Dorset Police to withdraw its opposition.

“Due to substantial changes to the original application submitted by Baggies Coffee House, Dorset Police withdrew its objection and the matter was dealt with without the need for a contested hearing,” a council spokesman said.

A planning application to amend restrictions which force it to close at 5.30pm is still being considered.

A council licensing sub-committee rejected the initial licence bid saying it had “no confidence” in business owner Mike Ismail.

He previously said the coffee shop needed to open longer and diversify its business as it was “struggling big time”.

But concerns were raised about his knowledge of licensing regulations with councillors agreeing to refuse the licence.

An appeal against this decision was heard at Poole Magistrates’ Court on October 25 after it was agreed to remove the request to sell alcohol and only extend the hours for food sales.

As a result of this, Dorset Police withdrew its objection.

The new licence allows the coffee shop to sell food until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. Increased staff training will also be required.

However, its planning application to remove a condition forcing it close at 5.30pm will need to be changed before these hours can be used.

Submitted at the end of September, it proposes a 2am closing time seven days a week.

More than a dozen letters of objection have already been submitted, including from the residents of the neighbouring Fleur de Lis retirement complex. A statement submitted on behalf of Renaissance Retirement said the extended hours would lead to “late night and early morning noise and disturbance”.

And, due to the application’s inclusion of alcohol sales, Dorset Police has also written in opposition to the plans.

Sgt Gareth Gosling said the change would lead to “a notable increase in demand on resources”.

The application is still being considered by council planning officers.