Police are calling on the council to reject plans for a coffee shop to extend its opening hours over fears it will increase crime and disorder in Palmers Green.

Cristina Teixeira has submitted a premises licence application to open Funky Lounge in Green Lanes from 8am to midnight Sundays to Saturdays.

If the plans are approved by Enfield Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee, Funky Lounge would also be able to sell alcohol from 10am to 11.30pm on Sundays to Saturdays and late night refreshments from 11pm to midnight.

But PC Martyn Fisher has asked the sub-committee to reject the application on behalf of Enfield Police.

He said: “This venue is associated with criminality and it is strongly believed that should this licence be granted, little or no heed would be paid to the licensing objectives.”

In the last year Bowes Safer Neighbourhoods team has raised concerns about prostitution and drug dealing at Funky Lounge, as well as smoking within the building and gambling.

Neighbours have also expressed concerns the new licence could lead to increased crime and disorder as well as public nuisance. 

In a statement to the council one resident said: “With the supply and consumption of alcohol for such long hours it is quite clear that some patrons are likely to get drunk and could get disorderly or could get chucked out onto the streets and cause discomfort to the neighbours whilst trying to get some sleep.”

However, in a letter to people living near to Funky Lounge Ms Teixeira apologised for any disturbance and noted the previous tenants have been removed.

She said: “We are now in the process of renovating the building and returning back to trade as a family run coffee shop/ice-cream parlour that I am sure most of you remember.

“We wish to trade in such a manner to regain our loyal customers as well as attract a higher calibre of clientele to the area; for that we have been informed that we require the appropriate licences from the local authority.

“As members of the community ourselves we do not wish to add to the problems within the area and have taken the steps to ensure that this is not the case.”

Funky Lounge currently has planning permission to open for business from 10am to 10pm Mondays to Fridays and from 12pm to 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

The application will be decided by the council’s licensing sub-committee on Wednesday July 3.