Villagers in Abersoch are outraged after a beachside café was granted permission to sell alcohol, despite strong objections from residents and the community council, amid claims that inebriated beachgoers have been leaving human waste in local gardens.
Mickey's Beach Café, located near Machroes Beach, secured approval from Cyngor Gwynedd's central licensing sub-committee this week.
The decision came despite concerns raised by nearby property owners and Llanengan Community Council about potential disruption to the popular family beach area.
Residents have reported disturbing behaviour from beachgoers, with claims that visitors are leaving "human waste" in their gardens.
Residents have reported disturbing behaviour from beachgoers, with claims that visitors are leaving "human waste" in their gardens
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Jeremy Beddows, who owns property near the café, told the committee that public toilets are "a couple of 100m" away, but many visitors aren't making that journey.
"A strip of land where there are bins is also regularly used as temporary toilets," he said.
Beddows added that he often picks up glass where people walk barefoot to the beach.
One of the major concerns raised was about people operating watercraft after consuming alcohol.
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Beddows noted a "fabulous increase" in powered watercraft like ribs, power boats, and jet-skis in the area, saying: "In a melee, these people splash about in the water, sadly, the same operators of these vessels are having alcohol before going out to sea."
He also expressed worry about "inebriated people" drinking while sitting "with their feet dangling over a 200ft wall" at an old tin works site behind the café.
Local resident Peter Baines feared alcohol would "change the feel" of the area, shifting from people "having coffee and cake to ordering bottles of Prosecco and beer".
"It could escalate into parties and loud music," he warned.
Llanengan Community Council shared these concerns, stating "machinery such as speed boats/jet skis and alcohol do not go together".
The council expressed "grave concern" over inadequate toilet facilities and worried alcohol sales might increase the beach's popularity, worsening traffic on the narrow access road.
Lisa Gilligan, the legal representative for the café's owner, countered that they did not intend to make the venue a "drinking destination" and weren't seeking permission for loud music.
She highlighted their successful use of temporary event notices to "test the water" for alcohol sales, noting there were "no objections" from police or environmental health authorities.
One of the major concerns raised was about people operating watercraft after consuming alcohol
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Gilligan confirmed the venue has a toilet and commercial waste operation, and they did not propose to use glass.
After deliberation, the committee approved the café's application with several conditions attached.
The licence permits alcohol sales until 5pm daily during peak season, both on and off premises.
Conditions include providing an on-site toilet, implementing a Challenge 25 policy, and ensuring staff are fully trained to sell alcohol.
The café must also ban loud music and glass, require customers to leave quietly, and operate CCTV on the premises.
