Rowdies fear over coffee shop bar plan

Residents at the Devonshire Green complex believe loud music combined with people standing outside smoking late into the evening will affect their quality of life, and urged Sheffield Council to block the scheme.

They were also concerned about a further increase in the number of drinking venues at what was initially supposed to be a shopping mall on the ground floor of the building.

Lack of footfall during the daytime has led to a decline in the number of stores.

Fashion outlet Brother2Brother was the most recent to close - but bars and restaurants have prospered due to their close proximity to the main nightlife strip on West Street.

The latest change involves Utopia Coffee Lounge, located in a glass-walled unit in the centre of the plaza.

Sheffield Council’s Licensing Board has granted owner Hicham Boulguid permission to sell alcohol and play music from 10am until 11pm, seven days a week.

The decision was made despite several objections received by the authority.

In one letter, West One residents Tom and Ann Elliott said: “The area is becoming increasingly overrun with drinkers, some of whom are abusive, violent, and generally anti-social until the early hours.”

Fellow resident Stephanie Harman wrote: “The plaza was designed to be a shopping mall with daytime patronage.“

She said she feared the bar would create an “even greater level of disturbance for surrounding residents”.

Protesters received support from one of the dwindling number of retailers at the complex.

Paula Whiteside, of Prego interiors store, said: “We are concern ed about the shift from daytime to evening trade. We also sympathise with the residents who already put up with the noise, anti-social behaviour, and general pollution associated with bar culture.”

Opponents of the bar hoped a precedent had been set by the refusal of plans for a sports-themed bar and restaurant at West One last December.

But Utopia’s licence was granted on condition Mr Boulguid adhered to a strict condition regarding outside drinkers, which will be limited to a small area.