A business has submitted a licensing application to trade at Arnold Market Place, known as The AMP, once construction work is finished. Taste First is an independent home tasting experience company, which includes wine, gin, rum and whisky, and has submitted a licensing application to Gedling Borough Council.
Taste First has applied to open between 11am and 10.30pm Mondays to Thursdays, between 11am and 11.30pm Fridays and Saturdays, and between 11am and 7.30pm on Sundays. Sale of alcohol would stop 30 minutes before closing time, and submissions for live and recorded music have also been made.
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Customers would be able to try out different alcoholic drinks and purchase their favourites, and it would be the business's first ever retail outlet if plans are approved. Those that want to make any comments or representations to Gedling Borough Council have until June 23 to do so.
James Carson, owner of Taste First, said: "We're going to run it as a tasting room, where people can come in and try wines, cooked meats, that sort of thing, and when people have found what they like, they can buy it and take it with them. It's not like a typical wine bar, but more of an experience place, the idea is for people to try out lots of different things.
"We're looking to open in September in the run up to Christmas, if everything goes to plan."
Taste First was started out in February 2020 by James, who is based in Nottinghamshire, a month before the country was plunged into lockdown because of the Covid pandemic. But he says this time meant he was able to set up the business.
James said: "I spent lockdown sorting out supply chains and getting it off the ground. We sell home tasting vouchers for four, six or eight people where we will come to people's homes with 10 different wines from around the world and they're able to try them out at home.
"Hopefully, if we get it right in Arnold, it will be a nice place for people to go. I like what the council are doing at The AMP as they want independent businesses there, and it gives us more of a presence.
"Our long term plan was always for a retail outlet, but that was at the end of a five-year plan, and we're two-and-a-half years ahead of that. I didn't think we'd be where we are right now."
