A popular taproom and bottle shop has applied for planning permission to allow customers to sit outside.
Lost and Found, in Ditchling Road, Brighton, already has a drinks licence to serve customers on the decking outside the business in Fiveways until 10pm daily.
But conditions attached to its planning permission mean that customers are currently not able to sit outside.
T<span style=”font-size: 1rem;”>he business owner, Jon Rutter, 56, has submitted a planning application stating that the neighbouring Rustico pizzeria and the Pub at Fiveways both have external terraces, as does Melissa’s café, another premises near by.</span>
The application said: “As the tap room has increased in popularity, the outside frontage has been used as additional seating capacity.
“The applicant has not received any complaints from neighbours or others directly but the council contacted Whaleback as their agents in October 2025 to address the use of this outside space.”
The planning application seeks permission to use the decking until 9pm, an hour before the bar closes at 10pm.
A noise management plan submitted with the application states that music should not be audible in neighbouring businesses and bass-heavy music will not be played.
Noise limiters would also be installed with levels set by a specialist.
To view the planning application or comment, click <a href=”https://planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=TDJHNYDMMK200″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>here</a> and search for BH2026/00925.
I think there are a lot of locals who support this application, and I hope it gets the go ahead.
I’m local and this would be GREAT! that corner has a lot of traffic noise already, so providing it’s just talking and not music I can’t see it being a nuisance. Plus, more people sitting outside is a big crime deterrent and generally good for a neighbourhood.