Brati A&A Cafe has applied for a premises licence for 530 Rainham Road South, hoping to sell alcohol at the venue between 10am and 10.30pm, seven days a week.
However, the application will be brought before Barking & Dagenham Council’s licensing sub-committee at a meeting next Monday (December 1) after three residents objected to it.
All three raised concerns that the sale of alcohol will “escalate” issues with antisocial behaviour and drinking, which they claim is already present in the area outside the property.
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One resident said in their objection: “People are already gathering and drinking in the back parking area, generating ongoing noise and disruption.
“Granting permission for alcohol sales would likely escalate these issues, resulting in greater public nuisance, anti-social behaviour, and increased safety risks for local residents.”
A second resident added: “There is already a lot of crime happening in the area as the block of flats and surrounding area has no CCTV.
“Myself and other residents feel with a licensed bar, it will make matters worse.”
Another resident, who has “severe” lung condition COPD and pulmonary heart failure, feared noise from the premises would have a “detrimental effect” on their life.
They said: “As well as me there are other vulnerable people including families with young children.
“We will be afraid to leave our homes or return when having to pass these premises.”
This resident and another also objected due to parking issues, arguing that it is “already near impossible to park” near their homes.
In his response to residents, applicant Lulzim Brati clarified that he does not intend to open a bar or late-night venue, but instead hopes to create a “community-orientated cafe”.
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Mr Brati said: “I understand and respect the concerns raised, and I wish to reassure the community that my café will operate responsibly [and] safely.
“I am committed to running a safe, quiet, well-managed café that supports the community rather than disrupts it.”
The premises, 530 Rainham Road South, was previously Polish Delicatessen, but no plans have been submitted for the property since 2014.
Brati A&A Cafe Ltd was incorporated in September 2025, according to Companies House.
The cafe does not appear to have a website, contact details or a social media profile yet.
