New coffee shop in Chesterfield bids to sell alcohol

The Birdcage, which is due to open its doors on Derby Road, wants to sell alcohol from 11am-11pm every day of the week.

It will replace Alan’s Corner Shop, which kept Derby Road residents in newspapers, magazines and sweets before closing the shutters for good in March 2019.

Former owner Alan Baston told us at the time he was looking forward to ‘a lie in’ after decades of 4am starts.

MORE: ‘It won’t be the same without Alan’- Chesterfield corner shop closes doors after 28 years

He said: “I’ve had some fantastic customers over the years, some of whom have become really good friends.”

Documents on Chesterfield Borough Council’s website say the new business will be a ‘licensed coffee shop, serving hot and cold drinks as well as food’.

A message posted in the window of the venue is addressed to ‘neighbours’, and says: “We have been made aware of your concerns regarding the opening of The Birdcage Coffee Shop.

“Please let me reassure you that the new coffee shop will take into consideration our surrounding neighbours.

“We are opening a licensed café and not a bar, music will be for background purposes only.”

The business’ application for a licence says it will ensure all staff are fully trained, ‘already intoxicated’ people will not be served and quiet notices will be put up at the venue.

It also says the venue will join the Pub Watch scheme.

A decision will be made on the application at a future meeting of the council’s licensing committee.