A popular pub in Tynemouth has made an application to amend their alcohol licence so they can permanently open an outside bar.
The Gibraltar Rock, located near Tynemouth Priory, wants to serve alcohol in the outdoor area next to their main entrance until 9.30pm. The venue has already built the outdoor serving kiosk after gaining planning permission and a retail and town centre grant.
However manager Nicholas Robinson said they are using a temporary licence as their current one only extends to their front door. He said they have applied to be able serve alcohol outside after noticing a "change in attitude" following the coronavirus pandemic.
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The Gibraltar Rock previously opened a temporary bar outside so they could continue to operate during the covid-19 restrictions. The bar was so successful it led them to build a permanent one, which has been named "The Pebble".
Nicholas said: "It was so popular for us through the pandemic . Even when we reopened people still preferred to sit outside. Everyone likes alfresco dining and we have got the best view for a beer garden you can possibly get. You can't beat the views from out there."
Nicholas' dad William Robinson, who is managing director of the pub on East Street, made an application for variation of the premises licence on July 14 this year. The local authority said any representations must be made to them before August 11.
Nicholas said: "I don't expect any objections. We serve food out there and we are not a rowdy place. My family has been in charge for 32 years now so I feel like neighbours trust us enough that we clean up the area."
According to the variation notice, the pub wishes to "extend the area in which alcohol can be sold and distributed to include an outside bar". The sale of alcohol in the proposed extended area will commence each day at the same time as the inside of the premises. However it will end earlier, at 9.30pm, to "reduce the impact on the surrounding properties".
At the start of 2022, The Gibraltar Rock spent three months shrouded in scaffolding after Storm Arwen ripped off much of the roof. The pub also had smashed windows and extensive rain and wind damage to the first floor following the storm in November last year. They lost around 40% of their revenue in the months that followed.
The premises, which boasts spectacular views of King Edward's Bay and the North Tyneside coast, is the only one in the UK believed to be named The Gibraltar Rock.
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