A co-working space that faced objections to its application for a drinks licence wanted alcohol to be available for just two hours a day, a panel was told today (Monday 29 September).
The Foundry, based in the Hove Gardens flats, in Ellen Street, Hove, wanted to a beer and a prosecco tap as a perk for members from 4pm to 6pm each day.
But the operator applied for a licence from 10am to 10pm seven days a week and the application went before a Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel this morning.
The original application was for a midnight closing time but, business co-founder Adam Walker, 45, said, the longer hours would only be for events.
Mr Walker said that the application was amended to an 11pm end time after talks with the Sussex Police licensing team.
After objections from Labour councillor Jackie O’Quinn, who represents Goldsmid ward, a resident and former councillor John Allcock and the Hove Station Neighbourhood forum, the company further revised the end time again – to 10pm.
At the licensing panel hearing, Councillor O’Quinn said that when planning permission was granted, it included an area for community use. But revised plans led to this becoming the co-working space.
She said that all the neighbours were getting after years of disruption was five bicycle stands.
Councillor O’Quinn said: “The biggest worry for us is there are only people on reception from 8am until 6pm and after that there’s no one on reception. How is it monitored after 6pm?
“There are people who go in who are residents of Hove Gardens and they can bring their friends in who live in the flats as well so I do have quite a few concerns about this.”
Mr Allcock, who has lived in the area for 25 years and spent four of those as a ward councillor, asked why an office space needed a drinks licence.
He said: “The hours are excessive, particularly in a densely populated residential area, and residents of Hove Gardens as well as those living in nearby Livingstone House and Ellen House will undoubtedly experience some noise and disruption, especially in the evenings and weekends.”
Solicitor Alun Thomas, for the Foundry, said that the co-working space created 300 jobs in the area.
He said that the sale of alcohol would be restricted to office tenants, co-working members, day-pass visitors, those attending pre-booked events and their guests.
The licensed area would be limited to the kitchen and bar area and a small auditorium, not the wider office and co-working space.
He said that the Foundry was unaware of the previous talks about community space during the planning phase.
Mr Thomas said: “Since we became aware of the representations, we’ve reached out and will continue with the engagement now that has started.
“Adam in particular is very keen to have a good relationship with his neighbours and that engagement will continue.”
Mr Thomas agreed to a condition that, during events, substantial food would be available if alcohol was on offer.
The company’s chief operating officer Hannah Mojica said that the beer and prosecco taps would be locked away when staff were not on site and outside the 4pm to 6pm perk time.
She told the panel that a limited amount of beer and prosecco was available at each Foundry location and members were warned that it would be withdrawn if abused.
Sussex Police also agreed further draft conditions with the Foundry including a requirement that someone with appropriate training should staff the area where alcohol was served and consumed.
Alcohol, as with tea and coffee, was available as part of the membership.
The panel was made up of three councillors – Julie Cattell, Steve Davis and Sam Parrott. They retired to make their decision which should be made public within five working days.
