Customers came out to support a Hove bar’s licence application after a clerical error required the business to reapply for permission to sell drink.
The Well, at 77 Western Road, faced a Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel hearing today (Friday 3 October) after three objections were lodged in response its new licence application.
Customers and other neighbours sent 16 supporting comments, with four supporters making representations at the hearing.
The application is for alcohol sales daily from noon to 11pm at the venue, just off Palmeira Square, which was formerly Higgins of Hove, a convenience store, and previously Harley’s off-licence.
Supporter Lawrence Bleach, who lives in nearby First Avenue, runs a licensed business in Western Road, is a regular customer at what he said was a “fabulous business”.
Mr Bleach said: “In our time there, I’ve seen nothing to counter the licensing objectives.
“We’ve only ever had a tremendous time there with no hint of trouble or social disorder.”
Another neighbour, Giuseppe Capozzi, who moved to the area last year, said that he had never seen any anti-social behaviour in or around the premises.
He said: “It’s been a place where I can meet like-minded people and make new friends. It’s a great addition to the community. I’d be extremely sad to see a place like this go.”
Chris Evans, 38, a director of the company that owns the bar, said that he had spoken to one direct neighbour. As a result, electric hand-driers were removed from the toilets to reduce noise – and the neighbour withdrew the objection.
None of the anonymous objectors, including a nearby business and an individual with an address in Moulsecoomb, attended the hearing.
Mr Evans said that there were no issues with the business which had been operating since September last year.
The reason for the application for a new licence was because of a change of registration at Companies House which invalidated the original licence.
Once they were aware of the issue, the bar closed for a week and has since stayed within the law by using temporary events notices (TENs). As a result, the business could only operate at weekends.
Mr Evans said: “We are about creating community and we really care about the people that come so this has been a very stressful time for us.
“The only reason we are closed and are here today is because of a clerical error. We were in no way breaching our licence to the point where we would have to have our licence in review or go to a hearing in any way or lose our licence.
“We have to go through the process and, unfortunately, there was no way we could resurrect this on Companies House and the financial impact has been very difficult.”
Mr Evans opened the original branch of The Well five years ago at a former off-licence in St George’s Road, Kemp Town.
He said that he and his fellow directors, Ross Brewer, 34, and Jonathan Grice, 34, had transformed it into a “vibrant community hub”.
They wanted to expand and were surprised at the popularity of the Hove site which resulted in objections because customers were spilling out into the street.
To resolve the issue, barriers were put in place within the pavement licence area with small tables and stools seating up to 40 people outside.
Mr Evans told the council licensing panel that The Well sold natural wines and craft beers – not shots, spirits or cheap alcohol for customers wanting to get drunk.
Draft licence conditions agreed with Sussex Police and the council included restricting alcohol sales to customers sitting at tables, with no standing and drinking at the bar allowed.
The outside area must be closed to the public from 11pm daily and the business should close by 11.30pm at the latest.
The panel of three councillors – Samer Bagaeen, Ivan Lyons and Paul Nann – retired to make their decision which should be made public within five working days.
