A CAFE in Bournemouth town centre could become a shisha bar under new proposals. 

A planning application has been sent to BCP Council to change Billy’s Cafe in Yelverton Road into a shisha lounge with ancillary service of food and drink, including alcohol. 

Documents submitted to the council say there are two full-time and one part-time staff working at the café, but a new shisha lounge would have four full-time and two part-time staff. 

Tom Donovan, of Peter George Town Planning (agent for the applicant), said: “A shisha bar operates in much the same manner as a restaurant/café insofar that it involves members of the public visiting the premises in small groups for social purposes.  

“Indeed, the proposed shisha bar would also involve an ancillary food and drink offer and would, to that end, retain a kitchen and bar area, with a seating area capable of accommodating approximately 30 people.  

“Accordingly, the proposed shisha bar would be occupied in a manner largely consistent with its current authorised use as a restaurant/café.” 

Billy's Cafe in Yelverton RoadBilly's Cafe in Yelverton Road (Image: Daily Echo)

Proposed opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 11pm, Saturday 8am to midnight and Sunday 8am to 10pm. 

To mitigate the smoke from the shisha pipes, the applicant has said it will install ventilation grilles to the exterior of the building while the “majority” of the frontage will be converted to be fully openable as well as bi-fold doors either side of the entrance. 

Mr Donovan added: “The applicant moreover believes that a proposed shisha bar in this location would add to the diversification of the town centre as there are understood to be only a small number in the town.” 

Shisha bars do not need a licence unless they serve alcohol, have other regulated entertainment or serve food between 11pm and 5am. 

According to the Local Government Association (LGA), there are concerns over the health risks associated with shisha smoking, as well as noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour. 

Councils have limited powers to address these under current legislation and the LGA is calling on the government to introduce a new licensing regime for shisha premises. 

Billy’s Cafe opened around a year ago and is located in Noble House at 8 Yelverton Road and used to be a Love Gusto restaurant as well as a Del Marco pizzeria.