Alfresco dining served up as late licences are granted

Published on Saturday 16 August 2008 11:31

LATE licences for tables and chairs outside four city pubs and restaurants have been granted, despite opposition from police.

Grassmarket pubs The Last Drop and Biddy Mulligan's, along with Rocco Restaurant and Browns, will now be able to serve food and drinks outside their premises until 10pm each night.

Yesterday, the News reported how police chiefs were accused of trying to stifle the Capital's cafe culture by opposing the permits.

But councillors at yesterday's regulatory committee meeting granted the late table and chairs permits.

Browns on George Street asked for permission to keep tables and chairs outside until 11pm, but the licence was granted until 10pm.

A spokesman said: "We applied for the extension until 11pm, but we are delighted with the 10pm licence. Our customers will appreciate the extra hour."

City centre councillor Joanna Mowat voted in favour of granting the 10pm permits.

She said: "I know there will be some opposition, but I think it will work. We have got a new night-time team in to monitor this. I think we have got to try it and see how well it works.

"The police did raise concerns but it was a comment, not an objection – they were very clear on that."

Last year, the council scrapped the previous 9pm curfew, allowing tables and chairs outside bars and restaurants later into the evening.

The relaxation came into force in April, and several pubs have already been granted late licences for tables and chairs because there were no objections.

But when these four applications for later licences were submitted to the council, letters written on behalf of Lothian and Borders' chief constable stated that 9pm is an "appropriate time" for tables and chairs to be brought inside on Rose Street, George Street, the High Street and the Grassmarket to keep pavements clear for late-night revellers.

For each application, an inspector in the police licensing section wrote to the council: "I believe that 9pm is an appropriate time for the permission to cease, as this will permit the clearance of the public footways of table and chairs to permit free passage of those patrons attending the late-night entertainment venues around the city."

It is thought the applications generated police opposition because they apply to some of the city's busiest streets.

The Element style bar on Rose Street, formerly Brecks, had also asked for permission to keep tables and chairs outside until 11pm, but the application was continued pending a survey on the site to make sure the additions of tables and chairs outside would be safe.

Manager Craig Thomas said: "We were trying to help people out, to give smokers somewhere to go with the smoking ban and trying to promote Edinburgh's cafe culture.

"As far as I'm aware, the council seems happy to grant a licence until 10pm, but not as late as 11pm. I'm in agreement with that."

The traders will pay a 150 surcharge for the 10pm licence, as well as annual table and chair permit charges of 65 for each square metre of outdoor space, or 85 in the world heritage site.