Agenda item

Summary Sheet attached – Item 5(a)

David Hossack, Solicitor, Glasgow appeared on behalf of the applicant. The premises manager, Seona Niven was also present. Mr Hossack said that the previous premises licence had been revoked but the premises had since been renovated and opened last July. He advised that the premises were seen as the gateway to the Crinan Canal with a small café room and a larger room for dinners and events. The external area was in two parts, one being the smaller at the rear of the premises close to the loch side and the other on the car park at the front. His client sought to licence the whole of this area which allowed for flexibility for events only. Mr Hossack said that his client would be happy with the terminal hour of 10.00pm for the external areas but sought a time later than 8.00pm for children and young persons as the events would be family orientated. He also advised that the premises intended to hold theatres; receptions etc therefore requested that children and young persons be permitted within the premises until the terminal hour of 11.00pm. Mr Hossack added that live performances would be held occasionally such as jazz or classical music, again, to allow some flexibility. As the business was fairly new, his client was unsure about demand and asked for a seasonal variation to operate reduced hours in the winter months.

 

Eric Dearie, Licensing Standards Officer advised that he had met with Seona Niven to discuss the application and produced photos of the external area at the front. Mr Dearie explained that the whole area would be roped off at the bollards and stewarding would be put in place. He added that the external area to the rear would be used for tables and chairs.

 

Richard Trail expressed his concerns regarding the extent of the external drinking area to the front and asked if the area could be taken back slightly to ensure it was clear from the carriageway.

 

Mr Hossack said that this would be difficult and referred to the event which was held on 2nd August when the whole area was roped off up to the bollards and stewards were in place which proved successful. He advised that his client could reduce the area to create a physical gap for pedestrians.

 

Richard Trail asked if the area was used for car parking and if roped off were there other parking facilities elsewhere. Mr Hossack replied yes but stressed that it would be used only for occasional events. He advised that there was a further car park along from the premises. Richard Trail enquired if the toilet facilities were sufficient for 300 people. Mr Hossack confirmed that the premises and the Egg Shed had toilets and for larger events further toilets would be made available.

 

Robin Currie stated he had no concerns regarding the application as there was a pavement between the bollards and the carriageway.

 

Rory Colville had concerns about how the whole area at the front would be stewarded and as the rear area was not visible from the front of the premises wondered how this would be monitored.

 

Seona Niven explained that the area at the back of the premises would be used mainly for customers to sit and have a drink on a regular basis and look at the view across the loch. Ms Niven advised that this area would be clearly delineated.

 

Mr Dearie suggested that a local condition could be applied to the licence rather than in the operating plan itself stating that the external area to the front be used only for large events whereby it would be clearly delineated and roped off and appropriate stewarding in place.

 

The Chair asked why a commencement time of 10.00am was sought. Mr Hossack advised that this was more for the off sales but it would also offer more flexibility especially to tourists, although there was more trade from lunch time onwards. The Chair asked if 11.00am opening time would present any difficulties and Mr Hossack said no and advised that this would be acceptable but would like to open at 10.00am for off sales.

 

The Chair asked why children from aged 10 years old would be permitted entry unaccompanied. Mr Hossack said that it would allow them to come in for ice cream and such like.

 

The Chair referred to the capacity of 309 which he thought was a considerable number. Mr Hossack explained that this was for larger events mainly family orientated, therefore alcohol would only be ancillary to these events.

 

The Chair noted the seasonal variation and referred to the Board’s Policy which he thought would be more suitable. Mr Hossack said that his client was trying to be as honest as possible as the premises may require to close earlier during the winter months and it also gave them flexibility.

 

The Chair suggested a terminal hour of 10.00pm for children and young person’s when consuming a meal. Mr Hossack said his client wanted to permit them for the duration of an event or function within the external area and up until 11.00pm internally.

 

Richard Trail said he would be happy if the external area to the rear be restricted to picnic tables and the larger area at the front to run on occasional licences when required for the near future.

 

The Chair suggested that the on sales commencement time be amended to 11.00am. He referred to the external area at the front and Rory Colville stated that he would prefer  the matter be dealt with by way of a local condition as previously suggested by Eric Dearie.

 

Susan Mair, Depute Clerk suggested the addition of a further condition stating no parking would be permitted when an event was being held which Mr Dearie agreed to.

 

Richard Trail requested his dissent to be recorded.

 

Ms Mair enquired asto the nature of the live performances and if they would be held in the external area at the front. Mr Hossack replied yes and Ms Niven advised that the performances would be acoustic but amplified.

 

Richard Trail asked if the area was residential and Ms Mair replied no.

 

The Chair moved the following- that the opening time be amended for on sales from 10.00am to 11.00am; to licence the rear and the front external areas as applied for with clear delineation of the front external area by bollards and sufficient stewarding to be in place when an event was taking place, with the foregoing imposed by way of local conditions; ; a terminal hour for the external areas of 10.00pm for adults and 8.00pm for children and young persons; the seasonal variation to be as per the Board’s policy and to allow children aged 10 years and over unaccompanied until 9.00pm.

 

With no-one else being otherwise minded, this became the decision of the Board.