Plans for a new bar and restaurant for a popular south Liverpool street have been approved despite concerns from neighbours.
Members of Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee have given the go-ahead for a new premises to open in the unit at 77 Lark Lane which currently houses the Planet Vegan diner. The application was submitted by Andrew Peters, director of Six Two Five (NW) Ltd and designated premises supervisor.
Mr Peters had asked the local authority for permission to open the venue between 10am and midnight from Monday to Sunday. While conditions had been sought to play recorded and live music, Mr Peters and licensing agent Karl Barry told the committee at Liverpool Town Hall, the business was happy to go without these terms and would only seek to use them around New Year.
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Mr Barry said Mr Peters is already the owner and operator of businesses across Merseyside including So Salsa venues in Liverpool city centre and Crosby, as well as The Tree House and Rocksalt Kitchen and Bar also in Crosby. He described the applicant as “experienced” and someone who had run licensed premises for a long time.
The new venue on Lark Lane would accommodate 30 people, the committee heard, serving alcohol such as craft beers at the “high end of the market” but would be food led, with Mr Barry saying dining would be the “primary thrust” of the business. The agent said it would seek to be a “low profile business” that would enhance the area and its offer.
Concerns had been raised by Sandra Warren, chair of Lark Lane residents’ association. She said the group “wholeheartedly objected” to a midnight licence for the premises given it was in a residential area. Ms Warren said the area was “treated like town” but did not receive the same levels of support given the amount of bars and restaurants now in the area.
She said residents “really don’t agree” with vertical drinking in the premises as there were “enough places for that” on Lark Lane. In response, Mr Peters said those standing to drink would be limited to no more than five people.
Ms Warren said the community “want to try and keep some character in the lane. We don’t want any more bars, a restaurant is fine.” She added that residents were “getting to our limit” with drinking venues in the area.
Mr Barry said the applicant understood the concerns from residents and would relish the chance to prove he was a good business operator. Committee chair Cllr Christine Banks confirmed the granting of the premises licence and wished Mr Peters luck with the endeavour.
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