AN eleventh-hour agreement over outdoor drinking has been reached between York’s Lord Mayor and a neighbouring café.

City of York Council licensing officers were due to meet at The Guildhall today to discuss an application on behalf of the new Café Rouge in Coney Street, which wanted to extend its license to include eating and drinking in an outside rear area.

Council officers had raised concerns on behalf of Lord Mayor Sue Galloway that noise from the cafe would disrupt civic functions at the Mansion House or deter couples from holding wedding functions there.

But yesterday’s meeting was cancelled after solicitors representing Café Rouge reached an agreement with council officers over the application.

Café Rouge, which also has a well established branch in Low Petergate, has agreed to stop selling drinks in the external area after 10pm.

It also settled on a 20-seat maximum for the area and agreed service would be by waiter or waitress only and that all products would be consumed by people sitting at the tables.

John Lacy, the council’s licensing manager, said: “I am delighted that both parties were able to reach an agreement and the need for a hearing has been avoided.

“Café Rouge has fully understood the Lord Mayor’s concerns and clearly wants to be good neighbours.

“This has been evidenced by the conditions that have been agreed with the Lord Mayor’s Office for this new, licensed outside area.”

Speaking before today's settlement, Dawn Steel, democratic services manger at the council said because the Mansion House hosted VIP functions, including visits from royalty, it was “essential the civic party was able to offer the right level of decorum for such events”.

The Lord Mayor of York, Coun Sue Galloway declined to comment.