A new co-working space can offer beer and prosecco on tap for its members and at special events after it was granted an alcohol licence.
The Foundry, based in the Hove Gardens flats, in Ellen Street, Hove, faced objections to its plans to offer the drinks as a perk for members.
It applied for a licence so that it could serve drinks from 4pm to 6pm each day and at some evening and morning events.
One objector, Labour councillor Jackie O’Quinn, said that she was disappointed that the ground floor of the building would not be reserved for community use in line with the original planning permission.
At a Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel hearing, she was told that alcohol would only be available when trained staff were on hand.
A local resident and former Labour councillor John Allcock, who represented Goldsmid ward along with Councillor O’Quinn, asked why an office space needed to serve alcohol at all.
Alun Thomas, solicitor, for the Foundry, said that 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.
The council has granted the Foundry a licence from 10am to 10pm to cover special events as well as the two-hour tap time.
The licensing panel was made up of three councillors – Julie Cattell, Steve Davis and Sam Parrott – who wanted a condition on the licence to ensure that substantial food was available at events.
The council decision letter said: “The application conformed to the best practice measures and expectations of the licensing policy and alcohol was limited to a clearly defined area.”
The company had held a series of events, covered by temporary event notices, which went ahead without any problems.
The council added: “During discussions, it was confirmed that the event space capacity was 40 maximum. They would agree to a condition requiring food at events with alcohol.
“The panel has considered this application on its individual merits and in terms of the policy and the concerns raised by those making representations.
“The application has been significantly amended and fits in with the licensing policy about alcohol in shared workspaces.
“The conditions are also appropriate and will promote the licensing objectives. As such the panel does not consider that the application is likely to undermine the licensing objectives.”
Booze and workspaces ???? and how does that conform with HSE guie lines ??? or can we assume no one dared to ask them ???? As normal employees are covered by insurance, but not where BOOZE is involved. Muppetry at its finest.