A new caf�-bar is set to open in Finsbury despite the protests of neighbours.

The venue, in Oliver’s Yard, off City Road, was given the go ahead to serve food, sell booze and play music until around midnight seven days a week at a council meeting on Tuesday.

The caf� is owned by the same people who run Lantana, an Australian-style eaterie in Fitzrovia.

The unit was formerly occupied by Piya Piya, a Thai restaurant and lounge bar which regularly received noise �complaints and closed last summer.

Now residents are �concerned the problems will start again. One said: “We have enjoyed much �improved levels of peace and quiet since Piya Piya closed – granting another licence will create more noise and anti-social �behaviour.

They added: “Residents already have to contend with raised noise levels and daily instances of people urinating and vomiting in our building’s doorway.”

Another said: “We will be back to square one in a similar, very bad position as we were when Piya Piya was there.

“We are deeply �concerned that should this licence be granted, for residents life will be �intolerable.”

Another said that when Piya Piya was in operation “drunken brawls outside the premises were an every time occurrence, often resulting in smashed glass,” adding: “Sleep deprivation through noise pollution amounts to more than a grave nuisance.“

Respondents also pointed out errors in the �application, including a claim that the Fitzrovia restaurant was given its licence by Islington �Council.

Shelagh Ryan, a spokesman for the caf�, said: “This will be an award-winning caf�, with a �focus on brunch, serving excellent coffee in a �relaxed atmosphere.

“As far as residents’ concerns go, we are not interested in becoming a throbbing bar.

“We want to be a �relaxed, casual cafe.”