Café Nos Terra on Norwich Road faces immediate licence suspension after drugs raid
Suffolk Constabulary has called for urgent action following multiple incidents at the café, including a large disturbance involving 10 people.
The big picture: Police are asking Ipswich Borough Council's licensing sub-committee to immediately suspend the café's licence following a series of serious incidents in October.
Why it matters: The request for immediate suspension comes after:
- Police arrested four people at the cafe on 1 October during a drugs raid
- Officers discovered cannabis, cocaine, digital scales and two steak knives
- A large disturbance involving 10 people occurred on 5 October
- Earlier warnings had been issued about licensing breaches
What's next: The council's licensing sub-committee will meet at 10:00 on Friday 1 November in the Gipping Room at Grafton House to review the premises' licence.
The background: Documents show the cafe had already received warnings in January about failing to:
- Maintain proper CCTV coverage
- Provide staff training on alcohol sales
- Keep required training records
Between the lines: A licence suspension would force the cafe to cease all licensable activities immediately, pending a full review.
Councillors Kelvin Cracknell, Adam Rae and Jenny Smith will make up the sub-committee reviewing the case.
Bottom line: While Café Nos Terra has been operating with a history of licensing breaches since January, it's the recent allegations of drug-related crime and public disorder that have prompted police to seek action. The council's decision tomorrow could determine whether this Norwich Road business has a future in Ipswich.
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