A Hove bar has been granted a new drinks licence after a clerical error meant that the previous one lapsed.
Three people objected to the licence application by The Well, at 77 Western Road, Hove, so a Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel was required to decide the issue.
At the licensing panel hearing on Friday 3 October, four customers spoke in support of the venue which is just off Palmeira Square.
A new licence was needed because of a change of registration at Companies House which invalidated the original licence.
Once the company directors Chris Evans, 38, Ross Brewer, 34, and Jonathan Grice, 34, were aware of the issue, the bar closed for a week.
It has since stayed within the law by using temporary events notices (TENs). As a result, the business could only operate at weekends.
Western Road is in an area where new alcohol licences are restricted because of problems with drink-related anti-social behaviour.
But the business previously had an alcohol licence and the site has a long history as an off-licence as Higgins of Hove, a convenience store, and previously Harley’s off-licence.
A panel of three councillors – Samer Bagaeen, Ivan Lyons and Paul Nann – heard from Mr Evans that soundproofing work had been carried out after a complaint from a neighbour.
The decision letter from the council said: “There were special circumstances relating to the application in that they had previously held a premises licence for these premises for about a year, which had lapsed due to a change in the company details, hence requiring a new application.
“They had another similar premises in Kemp Town which they operated successfully for five years without issue.
“The Well was a safe and comfortable space for the community with speciality artisan drinks and not the type of alcohol that fuels anti-social behaviour.
“They recognised that at times in the past there had been too many people outside and they have since erected barriers to ensure pavement access and improved control of the area. They had taken steps to reduce noise within the venue including soundproofing.
“CCTV has been enhanced. They had liaised successfully with the police and environmental protection (team) and agreed to their requirements.”
The conditions attached to the licence include serving alcohol only to customers seated at a table, 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 Well can sell alcohol from noon to 11pm daily.
How long before extended hours are applied for as other businesses in the area have? Cite the viability of continuing in the trade in difficult times, loss of amenity and job losses, special circumstances etc. I’ll have a punt on 6-12 months.