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Drinks on the menu at Preston cafe?
Diners at a city centre shopping centre could soon enjoy a tipple with their meal for the first time.
Moka Cafe, in the Fishergate Centre, has applied for a licence to sell beer and wine.
If granted, it will be the first eaterie in the centre where customers can have an alcoholic drink.
The venue, on the first floor close to Debenhams, has also applied for permission to have live entertainment.
Manager Natalie Eastham said: "We want to serve wine, champagne and bottled lagers.
"People want a nice glass of wine with their lunch and dinner.
"Hopefully, we will have it in time for the Christmas shopping."
Under the application, alcohol would be sold from 8am to 6pm every day except Wednesday, when it would be open until 10pm.
The company, which also has a restaurant on Fishergate, plans to open later on Thursday nights in the run up to Christmas too. Live jazz singers also perform at the cafe on Sunday afternoons.
The management is hopeful of being granted a full licence, but the council could impose a condition that it can only be sold to customers buying food.
The news comes as a new report by the Local Data Company shows how coffee shops have boomed during the recession. The number of chain shops, such as Costa Coffee and Caffe Nero, has increased by 47% in just 12 months.
James Moss, director at Curzon Investment Property, said: "Because of the recession, many more business meetings are held over coffee rather than expensive meals.
"And with a growingly mobile workforce, the rise of wi-fi has meant that more and more people can spend their days working in coffee shops."
And independent outlets, including Moka, are also seeing more trade.
Natalie added: "We're doing very well and are pretty much as busy as the branch in Fishergate."
Anyone who wishes to comment on the application should contact Preston Council before November 25.
A final decision will be made by licensing officials.
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Weather for Preston
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -6 C to 4 C
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