Change of use to dual A1 (off-license) and A4 (Drinking Establishment)

Overview

The existing retail premises sat at the end of a terrace of similar properties, in a Conservation Area, and towards the edge of the town centre.

The three-storey property contained residential properties to the upper floors.

Our client sought to operate a craft/ independent beer retail business primarily for customer purchase and consumption off-site. In addition, they were keen to offer a sit-in tasting area to be provided through a cold stored keg line and tap setup. The tasting area was a supplementary marketing offering to encourage and facilitate the retail selling of the key bottle/ can products rather than as a drinking establishment in its own right functioning solely as a place for customers to drink alcohol.

Several objections were made during the application process meaning the application needed to be determined by the Planning Committee, however, we were able to obtain support from the local Police and Environmental Health Officer which ultimately helped the application to be approved.