Diners enjoying theme nights at a Kenilworth deli can now enjoy a glass of wine with their tapas or a beer with their burger after it was granted an alcohol licence.

The decision by Warwick District Council's licensing panel which met this week will disappoint neighbours who spoke against the plans at the hearing.

Daniel Taylor, owner of the Deli on the Hill, in Castle Hill, explained that there would be a maximum of 30 people at events and that there would be no amplified music.

He told the panel: "We're not aiming for the younger generation, it's for more responsible, mature people who would like a glass of wine with their meal.

"We want to work with local residents and try and be as accommodating as possible. The shop has been open just under two years now and I hope that we haven't been too much of a nuisance. 

"There will be more footfall and could be more traffic but we have tried our hardest to get on. If we have had minor complaints we've pretty much addressed them straight away.

"We don't want to be a nuisance and were hoping it was going to be an added bonus to the local area."

The panel, consisting of three councillors and chaired by Cllr Val Leigh-Hunt (Con, Radford Semele), then heard from some of those who had objected to the application.

George Marsh spoke on behalf of the residents of Little Virginia – a group of houses facing Mr Taylor's deli.

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Mr Marsh said: "We are concerned that the quality of life, particularly the health and wellbeing of all local residents, could be severely diminished by the granting of an alcohol and music licence.

"We already have three other hospitality venues within 20 metres of our properties and we do question whether another licensed premises is appropriate in this residential area."

And Stephen Toor, whose family live next door to the deli, added: "Construction of the terrace with its old listed building is such that sound travels between party walls. We can often hear individual voices of our neighbours,

"The licence will allow up to 30 individuals in the premises, some under the influence of alcohol, talking over music. I accept the point the music may not be amplified but nonetheless it will mean people will be talking at a higher volume.

"The resulting level of noise leaking into my home in the evenings will be unbearable."

Following an hour-long hearing the panel granted the licence with conditions that had already been agreed between the applicant and Warwickshire Police and Warwickshire County Council's trading standards.