Board overrides its own policy
City premises licence granted two months after overprovision ruling
A premises licence has been granted in Stirling’s city centre just two months after the licensing board passed an overprovision policy.
The board last week unanimously approved an application for a provisional premises licence by Times Like These Festivals for Unit 1 at Stirling Arcade, to be known as The Drinks Cupboard.
The members were persuaded that the business - which had been backed by nearby retailers - was an exception to the new rule.
The board adopted an overprovision policy in the city centre area on November 30 last year, with a presumption against the granting of any further licences for on sales premises “where consumption of alcohol is the principal attraction”.
However, it also stated that all applications would continue to be considered on their own merits.
Jack Breslin, founder and owner of Times Like These Festival, told the board: “This unit has been vacant for around 12 months but it is a stunning building and a great pitch.
“Our mantra has always been ‘drink better, drink less’. It is about quality over quantity.
“Customers are greeted by knowledgeable staff who can offer education about the history of the drink and why it tastes the way it does. We allow the customer to sample small volume controlled measures. This is a service not offered in any supermarket or off licence in the city centre area.
“There will be a huge range of high quality beers, wines, whiskies and gins not available elsewhere. Stirling has a fantastic history with a brilliant drinks industry history. We are trying to create a mosaic of services. We believe we can be a conduit for related businesses such as local distilleries such as Tullibardine, Glengoyne and Deanston.”
Mr Breslin said he was aware of the new overprovision policy but said it still allowed for “gaps” in current service provision or wine bars to be considered.
He added: “What we are doing is not related to any sordid behaviour that the police may have experienced that may have led to the introduction of the overprovision policy.”
He said the premises would not be serving low cost alcopops or the usual cans of beer, but speciality products and the premises would not be suitable for people “sitting around” apart from a large table where tasting could take place for around 12 people at a time.”
A pop-up shop operated at the unit before Christmas under an occasional licence, to “road test” the concept, was said to be “phenomenally positive”, with The Arcade noticing increased footfall.
Several letters of support were submitted for the application by nearby retailers. One from the Arcade’s manager George Pollock said: “The offering by this business attracted many shoppers into the Arcade and this assisted our other tenant businesses.”
Acting chair of the board, Councillor Jim Thomson, said: “There have been no objections. This is still within current policy and on the basis and on that basis I would recommend approval.”