APPENDIX E
RESPONSE TO REP A
From: hani abadi REDACTED
Sent: 22 May 2026 02:39
To: REDACTED
Cc: EHL Licensing
<EHL.Licensing@brighton-hove.gov.uk>
Subject: Licence application - 1445/3/2026/01259/LAPREN
Dear REDACTED
Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding our recent licence application. As a long-standing member of this community, I completely understand and respect your desire to protect the peaceful, residential character of Hampton Place. Because we care deeply about our neighbours, I wanted to reach out personally to clarify exactly what this application means for the area and correct a few misconceptions.
First and foremost, Billies is applying for a restaurant licence, not a bar or pub licence. This is a crucial distinction: alcohol will strictly only be served to customers who are sitting down and ordering a substantial meal. We have absolutely no intention of operating as a drinking-only establishment or adding to the area's nightlife.
I also want to reassure you regarding noise and anti-social behaviour:
Billies has been an established business in Brighton for over 35 years, and I have personally owned and run it for more than 14 years. In all that time, we have worked very closely with Brighton & Hove City Council and have a spotless record—never receiving a single noise or disturbance complaint from our neighbours.
To be transparent with you, the current economic climate has been incredibly difficult. Like many independent businesses, Billies is currently struggling to keep its doors open. We are applying for this licence purely to adapt and survive. Closing down would not only mean losing a neighbourhood staple, but it would directly impact our staff—all of whom are local residents working hard to provide for their families in these tough times.
We pride ourselves on being a positive force in Brighton. Beyond our standard trade, Billies has worked hand-in-hand with the City Council since 2020 to supply food to the local homeless population four days a week. We love this city and this neighbourhood, and we would never support anything that compromises it.
I hope this reassures you that our plans will not contribute to the issues you mentioned, but will instead help ensure a long-standing local business can continue to serve the community.
Regards,
Hani Abadi
Owner, Billies Cafe
34 Hampton Place, Brighton
RESPONSE TO REP B
From: hani abadi REDACTED
Sent: 22 May 2026 02:45
To: REDACTED
Cc: EHL Licensing
<EHL.Licensing@brighton-hove.gov.uk>
Subject: Licence application - 1445/3/2026/01259/LAPREN - 34 Hampton
Place
Dear REDACTED
Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding our recent licence application. As a long-standing member of this community, I completely understand and respect your desire to protect the peaceful, residential character of Hampton Place. Because we care deeply about our neighbours, I wanted to reach out personally to clarify exactly what this application means for the area and correct a few misconceptions.
First and foremost, Billies is applying for a restaurant licence, not a bar or pub licence. This is a crucial distinction: alcohol will strictly only be served to customers who are sitting down and ordering a substantial meal. We have absolutely no intention of operating as a drinking-only establishment or adding to the area's nightlife.
I also want to reassure you regarding noise and anti-social behaviour:
Billies has been an established business in Brighton for over 35 years, and I have personally owned and run it for more than 14 years. In all that time, we have worked very closely with Brighton & Hove City Council and have a spotless record—never receiving a single noise or disturbance complaint from our neighbours.
To be transparent with you, the current economic climate has been incredibly difficult. Like many independent businesses, Billies is currently struggling to keep its doors open. We are applying for this licence purely to adapt and survive. Closing down would not only mean losing a neighbourhood staple, but it would directly impact our staff—all of whom are local residents working hard to provide for their families in these tough times.
We pride ourselves on being a positive force in Brighton. Beyond our standard trade, Billies has worked hand-in-hand with the City Council since 2020 to supply food to the local homeless population four days a week. We love this city and this neighbourhood, and we would never support anything that compromises it.
I hope this reassures you that our plans will not contribute to the issues you mentioned, but will instead help ensure a long-standing local business can continue to serve the community.
Regards,
Hani Abadi
Owner, Billies Cafe
34 Hampton Place, Brighton
RESPONSE TO REP D
From: hani abadi REDACTED
Sent: 22 May 2026 02:02
To: REDACTED
Cc: EHL Licensing
<EHL.Licensing@brighton-hove.gov.uk>
Subject: Alcohol Licence Application, Billies Cafe
Dear REDACTED
Thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding our recent licence application. As a long-standing member of this community, I completely understand and respect your desire to protect the peaceful, residential character of Hampton Place. Because we care deeply about our neighbours, I wanted to reach out personally to clarify exactly what this application means for the area and correct a few misconceptions.
First and foremost, Billies is applying for a restaurant licence, not a bar or pub licence. This is a crucial distinction: alcohol will strictly only be served to customers who are sitting down and ordering a substantial meal. We have absolutely no intention of operating as a drinking-only establishment or adding to the area's nightlife.
I also want to reassure you regarding noise and anti-social behaviour:
Billies has been an established business in Brighton for over 35 years, and I have personally owned and run it for more than 14 years. In all that time, we have worked very closely with Brighton & Hove City Council and have a spotless record—never receiving a single noise or disturbance complaint from our neighbours.
To be transparent with you, the current economic climate has been incredibly difficult. Like many independent businesses, Billies is currently struggling to keep its doors open. We are applying for this licence purely to adapt and survive. Closing down would not only mean losing a neighbourhood staple, but it would directly impact our staff—all of whom are local residents working hard to provide for their families in these tough times.
We pride ourselves on being a positive force in Brighton. Beyond our standard trade, Billies has worked hand-in-hand with the City Council since 2020 to supply food to the local homeless population four days a week. We love this city and this neighbourhood, and we would never support anything that compromises it.
I hope this reassures you that our plans will not contribute to the issues you mentioned, but will instead help ensure a long-standing local business can continue to serve the community.
Regards,
Hani Abadi
Owner, Billies Cafe
34 Hampton Place, Brighton
RESPONSE TO REP E
From: hani abadi REDACTED
Sent: 07 June 2026 03:09
To: Cllr Alison Thomson <Alison.Thomson@brighton-hove.gov.uk>
Cc: EHL Licensing <EHL.Licensing@brighton-hove.gov.uk>
Subject: Regarding Licensing Application 1445/3/2026/01259/LAPREN
Dear Councillor Thomson,
Thank you for sharing your representation regarding our recent licence application. As a long-standing business owner in this community, I completely understand and respect your desire to protect the peaceful, residential character of the Montpelier and Clifton Hill area. Because I care deeply about our neighbours, I wanted to reach out personally to clarify the intent behind this application and address the concerns you raised.
First and foremost, I want to reassure you that the operational model for Billie’s will remain firmly that of a seated café and restaurant, not a bar or a pub. We have absolutely no intention of operating as a vertical drinking establishment or contributing to nightlife disturbances.
Regarding noise and anti-social behaviour, Billie’s has been a quiet staple of Hampton Place for many years, and I have personally owned and operated the business for over a decade. In all that time, we have maintained a flawless record, working closely with Brighton & Hove City Council and never receiving a single noise, safety, or disturbance complaint from residents.
To be transparent with you, the current economic climate has been incredibly challenging for independent hospitality businesses. Like many local venues, Billie's is navigating these pressures, and we are seeking this licence purely to adapt, evolve our evening dining offer, and survive. Closing our doors would not only mean losing a long-standing neighbourhood asset, but it would directly impact our dedicated staff, the majority of whom are local residents.
We pride ourselves on being a positive, responsible force in Brighton. Beyond our standard trading, Billie’s has worked hand-in-hand with the City Council since 2020 to regularly supply food to the local homeless population. We love this city and this neighborhood, and we would never introduce an environment that compromises its safety or character.
I hope this reassures you of our intentions and demonstrates that our plans will not contribute to the issues you highlighted.
Regards,
Hani Abadi
Owner, Billie's Café
34 Hampton Place, Brighton