A CAFE proprietor has been granted a drinks licence, despite opposition from a neighbouring pub landlady.

Gillian Quigley will be allowed to sell alcohol from Tilly's, in Station Road, Ushaw Moor, near Durham, despite claims by Catherine Lowerson, landlady of The Flass pub, the move would lead to more gangs of youths hanging around the area.

In a letter to Durham City Council, Mrs Lowerson said: "With youths hanging around the premises, the public will not feel safe when having to walk past these groups of youths to enter or leave the premises or being present in the premises with them.

"A lot of people whom I have spoken to about this feel intimidated by them."

But Mrs Quigley accused Mrs Lowerson of treating the plans as a commercial threat.

She said Tilly's would have a relaxed cafe-style atmosphere and she had improved Ushaw Moor by renovating a derelict building and creating ten jobs.

"We don't have gangs of youths outside the shop. We've no issues with them. There's nowhere you can go on a night-time to have an evening meal. I'm not applying for an off licence. I want people to have a meal and enjoy a drink with that."

The dispute came to a head at a meeting of Durham City Council's licensing committee yesterday.

Mrs Lowerson told the hearing: "There are four outlets on a small street in our village that currently sell alcohol. I think a further outlet selling alcohol isn't necessary."

Councillors were also presented with a 20-name petition, organised by Mrs Lowerson, opposing Mrs Quigley's plans.

However, they set aside the objections and granted Tilly's a licence to sell alcohol between 11am and 9pm, seven days a week. Only people dining at the cafe will be able to buy drinks.

Live music can be performed and recorded music played.

Mrs Quigley said she did not intend to book bands, rather to have background music.

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Quigley said: "I'm very pleased because we've improved the village and Tilly's is a great place to meet up."