It’s already here (From Malvern Gazette)

It’s already here

1:11pm Friday 14th September 2007 in Letters

WE were interested to read the account of the Malvern Hills District Police and Community Consultative Group's recent meeting (Malvern Gazette, September 7) and the assertion by Insp. Clive Griffiths that "the government's idea of introducing a Mediterranean-style café culture was never going to work in this country." While we understand the concerns over problems associated with the new licensing laws, we would suggest that a visit to Pepper & Oz during an evening would be most beneficial to anyone who does not believe that a Mediterranean-style café culture could be introduced into Malvern - it has been.

Since opening in late March 2007 we have hundreds of customers who have enjoyed a pleasant evening dining and or drinking outside without any sign of unsociable behaviour or any complaint.

The secret, in our opinion, is complex but boils down to a determination to create an environment which is self fulfiling. For example, we have not permitted smoking inside or outside under our parasol since we opened, well before the smoking ban came into force, thus sending out the message that smoking is not possible and unwelcome. Secondly, we offered, when applying for our licence to serve alcohol that only service at the table is permissible, not at the bar. It is interesting to note that Scotland is now taking the lead on moves to restrict standing in bars and specify minimum levels of seating.

Inevitably the cost of such measures is high, but as responsible restaurateurs we feel the benefits justify the investment.

We therefore question the government's proposals to create Alcohol Disorder Zones where local authorities will be able to define a geographic area where licences are held e.g. central Great Malvern and levy all the licensees for money to enable more policing. The establishments that overtly make money from alcohol sales that often result in disorderly behaviour should be differentiated from those, such as ours, where strict controls and investment in service, pricing and quality of environment result in a perfectly acceptable Mediterranean-style café culture.

Lynne and Pete Browne, (directors) for and on behalf of Pepper and Oz Ltd.