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INKYFLASH: Drinks License Sought
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INKYTEXT 316a Tuesday 19th October 1999
LANCASTER PARIS LONDON NEW YORK MELBOURNE TOKYO VANCOUVER
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Drinks Licence Sought for former SPAR/Bookshop Premises
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A notice of intent to apply for a Justices' License, dated 12th
October, has appeared on the former SPAR premises at the top of the
South Spine. Mr Adams (Catering Manager) and Mr Peek (Commercial
Manager of Catering and Conferences) are applying for a full 'on'
licence (permitting the sale of all manner of alcoholic beverages for
consumption on or off the premises). The outlet is to be known as The
Venue.
The license application will be heard at the 5th November sessions. A
copy of the alteration plans has been deposited with the Clerk to the
Justices. It is expected that a public toilet will be required, and
possibly a fire exit. There is little room for a Bar Cellar with
cooling equipment and the premises are not readily adaptable for the
delivery of draught ales. A significant sum has been reserved for the
alteration and equipping of the new outlet, which it is planned will be
open from early morning till late evening for fifty weeks of the year.
It is not known why a table-license only was not applied for. The type
of premises envisaged is a high-quality and clean bistro/ wine bar with
excellent service. The move was approved at the last Finance Committee.
Yet again it has not had the widespread and open discussion within the
university that our charter and statutes clearly expect. It is not
purely a financial or building matter since it impinges on the working
and living conditions of students and is therefore the business of the
Senate or of a sub-committee of Senate to which such business is
delegated.
It is not known whether the new-style Bars Committee was consulted.
Nor is it known how much market research is behind the venture.
Experience suggests that the demand for additional licensed premises is
not obvious. There are already two bars (Cartmel and Bowland) open all
day and adjacent to food outlets.
Alcohol can also be obtained with food in the Management School.
Cartmel and Penn's are also licensed. So was the most successful
catering venture of recent years, Lawrenson's, brain child of Mr Ian
Scott (Prison Caterer of the Year), which only fell victim to its own
success and lack of investment (plus the need to move the staff house
when we lost the Storey Institute.)
Lunchtime consumption of alcohol is insignificant in all of these and
has in any case been discouraged by the Health Promoting University
initiative. It is also not part of the modern business ethos. Staff who
wish to consume alcohol with food at lunchtime tend to go off the
premises for reasons of privacy and it seems improbable that this will
change.
There has for a long time been clearly an overwhelming demand for
civilised central premises where one can take visitors and drink tea
and coffee from china cups at uncivilised hours like 9.30 a.m. or 4.30
p.m. let alone late night. Tablecloths, waitress service and a slight
premium charge to cover them are also welcome. Light snacks and teapots
are a welcome addition. Polystyrene is, of course, not.
The success of the new venture will depend on satisfying the above
desiderata. Alcohol, especially a full 'on' license, is either an
unnecessary distraction or part of another, and unannounced, agenda.
Minutes of the 17 September meeting of the Finance Committee at which
this matter was discussed were unfortunately omitted from the papers
sent out to at least some members for last week's Council (although
they figure on the agenda).
It was initially hoped to open the premises in mid-November, in time
for the Christmas graduation. This seems optimistic. Objections to the
license are expected. The fate of this venture may be linked by
students to agreement on the Nurse-led Unit, about which even the
right-wing is reported to have been incensed and militant at last week's
Union Council meeting.
ENDS