Concern over gin distillery proposal
Owners apply for a late night licence for functions
A drinks licensing application for a proposed gin distillery is ringing alarm bells at the Top of the Town.
Stirling Gin plan to spend £150,000 converting the former 19th century blacksmiths building, in Lower Castlehill, to a distillery and visitor centre.
Stirling Council granted planning permission for the move in January, despite concern over a lack of parking in the area.
Now the company is seeking a drinks licence and wants permission to hold receptions such as weddings, funerals, birthdays, retirements, club meetings, dance, live performances, theatre and outdoor drinking facilities.
Hours for which a drinks licence is sought are 11am to midnight Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and 11am to 1am Friday and Saturday.
The company has also confirmed plans to erected tiers of decking at the steep area to the rear of the smithy.
Jim Sandison, whose Crofthead Court home is opposite the proposed distillery, told last Thursday’s meeting of Mercat Cross and City Centre Community Council there was concern about the application.
He said: “It is good that a derelict building is being brought back to good use but it was always going to be a problem because of parking.
“If they do have functions then no matter the time of night, there will be cars, taxis, buses taking people to and from the distillery and that is going to generate extra traffic in what is already a problem area for parking and traffic.
“And to have live entertainment and dancing in an area such as this is going to be to the detriment of the area.”
The community council decided not at the moment to object to the licence application and urged Mr Sandison to canvas the view of his neighbours on the matter.
Stirling Gin co-owner Cameron McCann said the development would create eight jobs and hoped the operation would become an economic asset to the area.
He added: “With regard to the timings on the licence application, this was purely done to save time and money so that on the very few times in a year we may require to be open later, this would be covered.
“I can categorically assure all residents that the Old Smiddy will not be open, as a matter of course, for the hours stated on the application.
“When, on these exceptional occasions there is a need for later opening, we will do absolutely everything we can to consult with the community and ensure that there is no disruption caused.”
He added: “As for the garden area, the plan is to transform it into a multifunctional usable space. Primarily, however, it will be used to grow our own botanicals, which of course includes the Stirlingshire Nettle and transform, what is at present little more than waste area and eye sore, into a haven of peace and tranquillity that can also be used by our staff at break times as well as utilised for the benefit of distillery visitors.”
Mr Sandison (79), who moved to Crofthead Court in 1991, has, however, lodged an objection to the licence.
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions and what people say and do is sometimes different,” he added. “If people have a facility (to open that late and often) the worry is they will do so.”