A licensing application by a Whitby bar to have seating outside its town centre venue has been approved and will lead to four extra jobs.
At a meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee on Monday, it was agreed by councillors that The Treasury, a bar opened in the former HSBC bank on Baxtergate, could site eight tables (with seating for 31 people) and six Olive trees outside the bar within an 11 metre by eight metre area.
It imposed a condition on the type of furniture to be used, which has now been ordered, says local businessman Ali Hussain, owner of The Treasury.
The seating will be in use Monday to Sunday, between the hours of 8am and 10.30pm, and Mr Hussain says it has allowed him to create four more jobs at the bar.
He told The Anchor: “I am absolutely delighted we have been granted the licence. New furniture is on its way and we have created four new jobs covering the outside and serving guests and visitors.
“We hope to be able to get them out before the end of the summer.”
In response to the application, NYC officers say they received a total of 25 representations, with 20 in support of the project and five objecting to it.
Objectors said the footway wouldn’t be wide enough; the post box would be harder to get to; people will walk in the road; there will be accessibility issues for wheelchairs and mobility scooters; there will be public nuisance, late night disruption, anti-social behaviour; and staff will have to use the public pavement when carrying food and drink to the pavement area.
There were also concerns about nearby concrete ammonite structures and that the £415 fee for the license would be at “immense cost to residents and tourists.”
One onbjector wrote: “It (the ammonites) is one of the few public places in the town centre where people can sit and rest without feeling obliged to buy food and drink”.
Comments in support of The Treasury’s plans say they enhance the attractiveness, vibrancy and overall atmosphere of the town centre for residents and visitors; it is supporting local businesses, increasing footfall, and encouraging people to spend more time in the area.
There were several mentions of Mr Hussain having brought a previously underused building back into active use, with the seating area well-maintained.
One letter said: “Whitby thrives because of its independent hospitality businesses and its unique character.
“Sensible initiatives that improve the experience for visitors while supporting local businesses should, in my view, be encouraged where they can coexist with the needs of residents and the wider community.”
Documents put in front of councillors considering The Treasury’s application on Monday confirm that NYC officers were already looking to relocate the concrete ammonites to Tin Ghaut on Church Street prior to the application.
The moving of the ammonites comes as part of an NYC vision to improve the harbours area of Whitby.
In submissions of further information put to the council, Mr Hussain said: “The presence of the ammonite sculptures is not a matter for this licensing application.
“Responsibility for the ammonites rests with Street Scene, who are conducting a separate public consultation regarding their future location.
“During meetings, Street Scene have confirmed that the ammonites will be relocated elsewhere within Whitby as part of their wider regeneration project.”
