Customers collecting food from Tempura Ayr 2 Go on Beresford Terrace could soon be able to add alcohol to their order after South Ayrshire’s licensing board unanimously approved an occasional licence for the takeaway.
The permission allows the Ayr business to sell alcohol for collection only. There will be no delivery service, and customers will not be allowed to drink alcohol at the premises or in a public place.
How the trial will work
The application was submitted by Mark Blake, a personal licence holder and part of the partnership team behind the Tempura and SpudBuds brands. The business intends to use the temporary arrangement to “test the demand” for off-sales from the takeaway before deciding whether to apply for a full premises licence.
Alcohol sales will be restricted to the takeaway’s existing opening hours. From Sunday to Thursday, the permitted hours are 4pm to 9pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, the premises are open from 11.30am to 9pm, and those are the hours that will apply to alcohol collections.
Brandon Van Rensburg, Mr Blake’s business partner, said the proposal was focused mainly on wine and beer for people picking up takeaway food.
“Hospitality is struggling all the time and we are constantly looking to evolve and continue to be successful. ”
“We identified Ayr 2 Go for an offering of predominantly wine and beer. So when people collect their takeaways they can take that away to enjoy. ”
What happens next
The occasional licence will remain in place until November 11. The licensing board is due to consider any further application at that meeting, meaning the trial period will allow the business to assess whether there is enough demand to continue with a permanent arrangement.
Van Rensburg told the board that the venue is very small, with the alcohol fridge positioned at the counter where it can be seen by staff and CCTV. He described the proposal as a potential addition to the takeaway’s existing offer.
“It's a very small venue, the fridge is right at the counter in view of staff and CCTV. ”
“We think that it could be a very good addition to what we offer.”
Restrictions on consumption
Catrina Andrew, a licensing standards officer, recommended approval and advised that a condition should make clear that alcohol sales are for collection only. She said this would support compliance with licensing objectives and help inform any future application for a full premises licence.
The premises have outdoor seating, but customers will not be permitted to consume alcohol there or in any other public space. The restriction reflects South Ayrshire’s byelaw prohibiting open containers of alcohol in public places.
Councillor Bob Pollock supported the application, describing it as an interesting proposal and saying the licensing trade had always been encouraged to diversify. The board then approved the application unanimously.