Cherries Café in Bournemouth gets alcohol licence granted

Cherries Café in Bournemouth, which has become a pit stop for many football fans on match days, will now be able to serve alcoholic beverages to customers.

Café owner Mandy Noris, a big Cherries fan herself, said: “We’re really excited about it. I think it’s going to make a huge difference on match days.”

The licence, which allows the sale of alcohol but only alongside food ‘prepared and served on the premises’, is something Mandy has long sought for.

She said: “We planned to get the licence just before Covid, but everything got put on hold.

“I chatted to a lot of residents prior to putting in for the licence and they said there’s nowhere in this area that you can go and eat something and have an alcoholic drink, apart from the few pubs.

"But we’re not looking to be a pub, we’re looking to be a café where you can have a beer or a glass of wine with food.”

The café, located just a short distance from the Vitality Stadium, already offers a menu of freshly cooked traditional English food, and is particularly popular with fans on match days looking for a bite to eat.

Read more: AFC Bournemouth stars at Cherries Cafe reopening

Mandy hopes the changes will make match days even better for visiting fans. She added: “We have a great atmosphere in here on match day. You’ve got the black and red shirts, and everyone’s excited. People have their rituals where they eat the same foods and sit at the same table.

“We’re only small, but it’s a lovely atmosphere with lovely people.”

The licence is not the only thing being celebrated this month- June 19 marked 13 years of business for Cherries Café, prompting Mandy to think about plans moving forward.

“I also run South Coast singles. I’ve got 1300 members and I think we’re the largest singles club in Dorset. I’ll be able to hold some small events in here for the group.”

You can find Cherries Café at 65A Curzon Rd, Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH1 4PW.

Visit the Cherries Café Facebook page for more information.