A Helensburgh bar must wait to see if it can extend its beer garden opening hours for an extra 60 minutes – after a dramatic change in a vote among councillors.
The bid by the Clyde Bar to open the facility until 10pm looked to have succeeded after an initial vote among members of Argyll and Bute Council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee.
Four members, including chair David Kinniburgh, voted in favour of the plans.
A further four voted to continue the process to the committee’s next meeting, while Cllrs Graham Hardie and Sandy Taylor voted for a temporary approval.
It was initially thought that as chair, Cllr Kinniburgh had the casting vote, but a clerk then stated that a re-vote would have to be taken, with the ‘temporary approval’ option removed as it had the fewest votes.
Cllrs Hardie and Taylor then voted to continue consideration of the bar’s application until the committee’s next meeting, meaning that carried the day by a 6-4 margin.
Helensburgh councillors Richard Trail and Lorna Douglas temporarily left the meeting for the duration of the item, having declared an interest.
The amendment to continue was proposed by Cllr Rory Colville, seconded by Cllr Jean Moffat.
Cllr Moffat said: “This bar has constantly had complaints made against it, about noise in particular. I would suggest that the lack of complaints recently has simply been because of lockdown.
“If you look at various towns, Aberdeen for example, you see the effects of alcohol on the lack of people maintaining social distancing.
“I am very sympathetic to the landlords trying to make a living, but I would be reluctant to add any extension of hours.”
It was then established that even if the bar succeeded in extending the beer garden’s hours, it would also require to go to the Argyll and Bute licensing board to allow alcohol to be consumed during the extended time.
Cllr Colville then said: “I find myself in a very difficult position, because I have visited this area in connection with another licensing application.
“I am of the view that if I commit myself to approving this today, I would find it very difficult to come to a different conclusion when it comes to the licensing board.
“Having had that previous visit, I think there would be a detrimental impact on the amenity of the adjoining residential properties.
“Outside drinking and smoking areas are generally restricted and 9pm is more than adequate.”
The plans attracted 12 objections from members of the public, which Cllr Colville remarked was not a huge number.
But he added: “It is representative of the area.
“I would be either moving a motion to refuse on the basis of these objections, or move continuation to find a competent motion.”
Cllr Kinniburgh, who is also chair of the licensing board, said: “My difficulty is that if we agree this, if we put any extra liability on ourselves. When it comes to the licensing, have we taken a view that we are OK with that?”
Responding to Cllr Taylor’s suggestion of granting the extension temporarily, Cllr Kinniburgh added: “If we did that, that would imply that we are minded to grant the licensing part.”
He then moved to grant planning permission, seconded by Cllr George Freeman. Cllrs Robin Currie and Alastair Redman also voted in favour.
However, Cllrs Audrey Forrest and Roddy McCuish voted with Cllrs Colville and Moffat, and on the second vote, Cllrs Taylor and Hardie also voted to continue.
The committee’s next meeting is expected to be on September 23, while the licensing board is due to meet on September 8.
Cllr Kinniburgh said he was ‘not aware’ of any current licensing application by the bar.
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