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An application for an extended licence by the Aldersyde in Lamlash has been refused by the licensing board.
The licensee Jill Skinner applied to extend her opening hours beyond the accepted 11pm closing time but she was refused.
Owner Tam Skinner said: ‘I feel very let down by the licensing board. This is the first time in 20 years that the extension has been refused. Until the end of January we will have to close at 11pm every night.’
Mr Skinner believes that the board have made a mistake and punished him unfairly.
He explained: ‘They used a till roll as evidence against us. That roll had 53 days trading from another hotel on it.
‘We recently got a new till that had been previously used by them. We only had one day’s trading on that roll. It was the other hotel that was selling alcohol after the licensed hours.Not us.’
Andrew Fraser from the North Ayrshire Licensing Board said: ‘The board considered an application for an extension to the licensing hours at the Aldersyde Hotel. Observations were made at the board by Strathclyde Police regarding the absence of the licensee from the premises and the sale of alcohol outwith permitted hours.’
He added: ‘Having heard statements from the parties involved, the board, in light of the social circumstances of the hotel and the activities taking place there, agreed to refuse the application.’
Mr Skinner said that his popular live music nights will go ahead as planned as well as the special Christmas events.
Usually an applicant cannot make a further application for one year but the licensing board has made allowances this time and said the applicant may make another application within this period.
Mr Skinner said: ‘I can reapply for the extension in January but I’m not sure if I will or not.’
