A new restaurant in Ayr moved closer to trading after its application for an occasional licence was approved, allowing The Boathouse to prepare for its opening at 4 South Harbour Street.
The venue, described as a new venture from the owners of The Backstreet Kitchen on Main Road, announced that it would open from 9am on Friday, August 21. The opening announcement followed a meeting of South Ayrshire Council’s licensing board on Thursday, August 20, when the application was approved.
What the licence application covers
David Elliot, representing The Boathouse, applied for an occasional licence running from August 29 to September 11. The application sought permission for alcohol sales while the operators worked towards trading full-time by that date.
Documents stated that the owners planned to use occasional licences from then until a full premises licence was granted and confirmed. The operators had also sought information and guidance from the council’s licensing standards officer as they pursued a full premises licence.
However, the council officer said the operators were not yet in a position to apply for a provisional licence because they were waiting for the relevant certification.
Restaurant layout and planned hours
Catrina Andrew, South Ayrshire Council’s licensing standards officer, said the premises would focus on food and include a relaxed dining area with booth seating alongside tables and chairs. Plans also include an external drinking area facing the river and a training kitchen.
The occasional licence application requested on-sales hours from 10am until midnight. It also sought off-sales from 10am until 10pm, covering the option for customers to take home wine bought with a meal but not finished.
Opening arrangements
In its opening announcement, The Boathouse said the venue was ready to welcome customers. For its first weekend, the restaurant said it would accept bookings by phone as well as walk-ins.
The business invited people to look around the new venue, have food and drink, and experience the restaurant. The licensing approval and opening announcement mark the first stage of the operators’ plans, with the full premises licence still to be secured.