Downham Market’s Dial House Café’s plans to serve alcohol approved despite neighbour’s objection

A small café frequented by retirees, young families and the local horticultural society has been granted an alcohol licence despite a neighbour fearing it would lead to rowdy behaviour.

The Dial House Café in Downham, which only fits a maximum of 12 people inside, wants to serve customers a glass of wine or beer with their meal between the hours of 12pm and 4pm.

The family business is run by chef Yosita Nongna along with husband Rafiek Versmissen, and was opened in 2022.

However, Adam King, who owns the property next door, objected to the licence bid due to fears it would lead to more noise and his young child being subjected to rude language.

At a West Norfolk Council licensing committee meeting, the neighbour – who currently lives overseas and is renting his home out to a lodger – said: “We have just had a daughter and we have concerns there will be intoxicated people leaving.

“If there was a party to run for four hours with people drinking alcohol, undoubtedly they will be leaving more merry than when they arrived.

“If it is being held in the courtyard there may well be a rise in the number of expletives or unsavoury language.”

During the meeting, Mr Versmissen explained that the attraction of the Dial House Café is that it is a small and quiet place, whose main clientele is retirees, young families and the local horticultural group.

Any parties they have are often for older people, with the latest celebration being for a 92-year-old who enjoyed an afternoon tea with family and friends.

Mr Versmissen added that his other neighbour, Trevor Hewitt, wrote a letter of support for his application, saying the cafe is “well respected and carefully run”.

Having listened to both views, councillors decided to grant the application on the condition that appropriate signs are displayed asking customers to be respectful to neighbours when entering and leaving the café.