UK - Fight For Cannabis Cafe

[Hash]

Merseyside's first cannabis cafe is open for business.

The Amsterdam-style Tea Cafe in Liverpool is tucked away behind a bona fide cafe and, despite being raided by police last month, is still trading.

Owner Gary Youds was arrested but has now reopened the business in Holt Road, Kensington, and is pledging to fight any moves to close him down.

Mr Youds asked the council for permission to set up the cafe but was refused. He appealed and was refused again but opened up anyway.

The 35-year-old appeared in court and, after pleading guilty to allowing his premises to be used for the taking of a controlled drug, was given a conditional discharge.

Several customers were cautioned for possession of cannabis after the police raid.

Mr Youds has spent UKP 60,000 on his business venture through his company, The Chillin's Rooms Ltd.

Police insist he is supplying cannabis but Mr Youds said his premises were only used for taking the drug and he operated a "zero tolerance" policy on Class A drugs and alcohol.

But he has now been served with a 28-day closure notice by Liverpool council.

The father-of-one from West Derby, said: "I am happy to work with the police and council, allowing them inside for inspections at any time.

"We are doing nothing wrong, all we want is tolerance."

Police are working with the city council to have the cafe closed down, but they cannot obtain an Asbo against Mr Youds because there have been no complaints from residents.

Inspector Kevin Wellens said: "We are committed to enforcing the law and are liaising with the local authority.

"It's not that residents have reported problems associated with the running of the premises, more that they are concerned that something like this is there."



Source: Liverpool Daily Post (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Liverpool Daily Post
Contact: letters@dailypost.co.uk
Website: http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/