Rehana Lounge – located on the first floor of Express House on White Abbey Road, applied for a later opening last year, arguing the bulk of its trade came from late evening customers. Plans to convert the vacant former bookstore into several smaller business were approved in 2018. In 2020 plans to turn one of these businesses into a café were approved – on the condition that the business shut at 11pm.
” Councillor Safina Kauser spoke on behalf of residents of Hardaker Street who had objected to the planned changes. She said they were concerned about the impact of traffic, and added: “Operating until 11pm is quite manageable, but the café has breached its current timings before. This application seems to be to legalise what they are already doing. The breaches are already taking place, if you approve this you are rewarding them for doing so.