A CAFE owner has changed his application for an alcohol and entertaiment licence in the evenings.

Bali Singh-Digpaul, who runs the Olive Branch in Wanstead High Street, is hoping to open his cafe later in the evening and sell alcohol.

He, and business partner Bassam Gilini, submitted a licensing application to Redbridge Council last month which caused Snaresbrook councillor Sue Nolan to express concern.

She told the Guardian: "The application gives me a great deal of concern.

"The Bungalow Cafe was granted permission to sell alcohol and there was a lot of opposition to that."

Mr Sing-Digpaul, 44, said he has designers over from Italy at the moment drawing up plans to remodel the popular cafe.

He said he has spoken with Mrs Nolan and a licensing officer at Redbridge Police.

Mr Digpaul, of Newbury Park, said: "We've adjusted the times of closing and people seem to be happy with it.

"There's been a considerable amount of adjustment and as far as I'm aware I have put a lot of issues to bed.

"I wanted to accommodate and satisfy the authorities.

"I have made it so you can only drink if you are having food and there will be no dance floor.

"I have minimised the live music down to 18 occasions a year."

He said he hopes the changes help the application to gain approval as he is keen to keep the business open for longer.

He added: "We can't be accused of not trying to reassure and not being accommodating.

"We are going for something different here and I hope people will see the plan for what it is and they realise there's no hidden agenda.

"We want to carry on what we are doing but into the evening."

Mrs Nolan said: "It looks like the entertainment will be more in the form of a guitarist in the corner, rather than a dance floor and dj.

"I think (Mr Singh-Digpaul)is trying to sell an experience and the main concern was we would end up with something like Funky Mojoes in Wanstead but I don't think that is what he wants.

"He is trying to reassure and placate the local community, he came to one of my surgeries and spoke with Wanstead Society members and I'm pleased he has done that."