Plans are afoot for a new wine bar and restaurant in a city centre unit which has lain vacant since 2020.
Perth and Kinross Council’s Licensing Board this week unanimously approved a provisional licence for the premises on Perth’s High Street.
The unit was previously Dewberry Café but closed four years ago partly as a result of the COVID pandemic.
On Wednesday, November 6 councillors were asked to consider an application from Glasgow-based LAL (Public House) Ltd for a provisional licence for the unit at 32-24 High Street.
Depute Clerk to the Licensing Board Colin Elliott said: “The applicant’s application seeks an on-sales facility only. The outdoor pavement café area would be licensed up to 10pm.”
There were no objections to the licence application.
The applicant will not operate the business but a tenant who – once found – will apply for a food hygiene certificate and the necessary roads consent to operate a pavement café. Roads consent has previously been in place from 2010.
The applicant’s agent Chloe Crawford addressed the board on behalf of her client.
The solicitor from Miller Samuel Hill Brown said: “It used to be Dewberry Wine Bar and Café before the licence was surrendered in 2020.
“My clients have taken over the unit and are keen to reinstate it as a wine bar and now restaurant. After this restaurant became – in part – a casualty from the COVID pandemic, it would be great to see it in use again.
“My client holds a number of licences across Scotland and this property is their latest addition to their portfolio.
“After the premises was acquired, it came to light this licence had been surrendered. Hence this application to return to the prior position.”
Councillors were told of the client’s plan to lease out the property.
Ms Crawford said: “My client’s plan is to retain this premises licence as a landlord and lease the premises out.
“Alternatively he may sell the premises on.”
Councillors unanimously agreed to approve the provisional premises licence application subject to conditions and with confirmation of the licence not being issued until roads consent is in place for the pavement café.