Mixed Reaction to My Place Late Licence Application

Some believe new café bar will inject life into 'abandoned' part of Chiswick

Outsider Tart closed after repossession

December 13, 2022

Neighbours are divided after plans for a new cafe bar to get a late-night licence in an ‘abandoned’ part of Chiswick. While some say the new business that will “inject life” into Chiswick, others fear the venue will cause disturbance to their sleep.

My Place already has a cafe bar in Soho, with breakfast served until 5pm on the weekends.

The new branch will move into the former home of Outsider Tart, a bakery and coffee shop on Chiswick High Road. My Place has asked Hounslow Council for a premises licence to serve alcohol and open their doors from 8am until 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday, with a 12.30am closing time on Fridays and Saturdays.

Businesses in the area have welcomed the prospect of a new cafe bar along the main road. One resident and nearby business owner said, “This new restaurant venture is exactly what is wanted – an injection of life, soul and energy into a dreary forgotten part of the high road.

“After the long protracted misery of road works, cycle lanes works, more road works, we’re all suffering from a genuine downturn in business. A lively fun place to relax is the exact tonic and remedy to inject new life onto the High Road.”

Another local added, “As the owner of a restaurant which is located within sight of the proposed business, I would welcome the addition of a new hospitality business, which can only boost the local economy, and help to rejuvenate the area.

“It has been sad to see the old business close down, and that corner become abandoned, and my hope is that My Place Chiswick will bring new life to that block.”

But, not everyone is pleased with the prospect of another bar opening up on Chiswick High Road. Residents living on nearby roads have raised fears over late opening hours.

One resident said: “There have been extensive reports to the police and Hounslow Community Officers of anti-social behaviours including drug dealing/taking, littering and noise. Adding another bar in the area with a late-night licence will have the potential to attract further ASB and crime. Although the proposed bar is on High Road, this is largely a residential area with private housing over and adjacent to the proposed bar.”

Another added, “This change of use to a bar, open late into the night is not acceptable, It has the potential to further exacerbate antisocial behaviour (ASB) including late-night noise.

“This area outside the shops and beauty salon with the public space including a raised garden on the corner of Chiswick Lane and Chiswick High Road has already been flagged by the Police and Hounslow Council as a location of known for ASB. There are already a surfeit of bars, late night venues in the area.”

If the licence is approved, My Place has confirmed that customers will not be allowed to use its outdoor space after 10.30pm. CCTV, Challenge 25 checks and incident report logs will all be used if a licence is approved by Hounslow Council on Tuesday, 13 December.

Megan Stanley - Local Democracy Reporter