Bath cocktail bar bosses eager to get back open when lockdown restrictions lift have criticised the council for rejecting their bid to host more customers outside.
Sub 13’s pavement trading in action | Inset: Tim Whelehan and Alex Miller | Photo provided
When the government announced a new scheme to help the hospitality sector last year, Tim Whelehan and Alex Miller secured a licence to serve food and drinks on a 15-metre stretch of pavement outside Sub 13 in Edgar Buildings.
The duo said their jaws dropped when their application for a 10-metre extension was rejected amid concerns about public safety, accessibility and littering.
Mr Miller said: “The last year’s been tough. We’ve been shut for five months. We had to take on more staff so had an increased wage bill, we’re on reduced hours and our numbers have been reduced by two thirds.
“For the last 17 years we’ve survived off obscenely busy Saturdays. Suddenly when that gets taken away from you and you aren’t even breaking even.”
When open, the bar can serve 70 people a day in the 15-metre space. The extension would allow that to increase to 120.
“This is the whole point of opening with a bang on April 12,” added Mr Miller, quoting dates from Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s road map to recovery.
“We have one month to trade outside before all the other bars open inside on May 17.
“Hopefully the rest of the year is going to be spectacular. We want all the help possible.
“We don’t think it’s unreasonable with where we are in Bath to have a bit of extra space. We want to create that European, outdoor vibe.”
Mr Miller said everyone is desperate to meet up with friends for a drink but the extra pavement seating will be especially important for customers who are nervous about going inside.
He said he doubted anyone from the council had even visited the site before they made the decision.
Officers raised concerns about litter, disruption to tenants and accessibility.
Mr Whelehan said staff keep the area clean, no one had complained and there was plenty of space to get past.
He said the reasons for refusal were invalid and flew in the face of the legislation, adding: “Our overarching intention is to be open as quickly as possible, and to be able to serve as many guests safely as we can.
“We need to address our precarious financial situation, and get as many of our team back at work on full pay in April.
“We are looking to utilise a dead end section of pavement and bring a bit of life to a city that has been too long in hibernation.”
B&NES Council has approved 41 of 48 pavement licence application since the regulations were introduced last July.
Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for community services, said officers always conduct site visits and advised Sub 13 that its expansion plans were likely to face objections as the proposed area was considerably larger.
He said: “During the consultation period we received a number of comments both against and for the application and considered these alongside highway safety and access and amenity for neighbouring properties.
“After careful consideration of a difficult situation, the application was rejected for reasons of public health and safety including social distancing and the effect on neighbouring properties.
“Any applicant is welcome to submit a revised application if their original application is refused.
“We would like to work with Sub 13 to find a solution that is acceptable to them and to their neighbours and would encourage them to engage with us on a renewed application.”
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
