Neighbours of a Great Ayton restaurant have raised concerns about plans by the venue to serve alcohol — but the application has also attracted dozens of letters in support.
Pomegranate Persian Tea Room, in the town’s Park Square, has applied to North Yorkshire Council for a licence to sell alcohol every day between 11am and 4.30pm.
Members of the council’s statutory licensing sub-committee are to decide on the application next Friday.
In his application, owner Hamideh Salehi said the premises would operate as a small, food-led cafe with all alcohol sales ancillary to the food service.
He added: “The business will maintain a family-friendly environment through strict management control, comprehensive staff training and a focus on seated dining.
“Alcohol will only be served to customers seated at tables and primarily as an accompaniment to substantial food.”
The applicant stressed that there would be no so-called “vertical drinking”.
The council has received four objections to the application.
One resident said: “On pleasant days, people already sit, often with noisy young children, under the archway and quite often the noise is very noticeable and unavoidable. This is without alcohol being available.
“If the licence is granted and people are drinking alcohol the noise level will increase. This is inevitable and not something I, or my neighbours, would appreciate.”
Another resident said there were already four licensed premises in the vicinity.
They added: “They would inevitably ask for the hours requested to be extended, which would cause more noise into the evening, especially with drinking in the yard area at the side/rear.”
But the council also received 37 letters in support of the alcohol licence.
One person said: “Hamidah has a lovely restaurant and to be able to enjoy a glass of wine with a meal would make an enjoyable experience better.
“This is a respectable establishment which is a true asset to our village community.”
Another added: “I would just wish to offer my support for the granting of the alcohol licence for the above premises.
“It is really a lovely, quiet establishment, where I would love to have the choice to enjoy a glass of prosecco with their delicious food.”
North Yorkshire Police have liaised with the applicant who has agreed to their conditions, should the licence be granted.
These include providing staff training and keeping a record of incidents and refusals of alcohol.
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