Councillors in Dundee were told that granting an alcohol licence to a planned new caf and delicatessen in Broughty Ferry will help preserve Scottish culture.
Janet Hood, acting on behalf of leisure chain G1 Group, said the proposed redevelopment of Robertson’s in Brook Street would create a sister establishment to the popular Forgan’s and Mitchell restaurant and delicatessen in St Andrews.
The Market Street premises hold regular ceilidh events for children and adults and solicitor Mrs Hood said the Broughty Ferry premises will do the same.
But she said it will be necessary for the venture to be able to sell alcohol, in the caf and its delicatessen, if the project is to be a success.
“Children’s ceilidh uptake is growing in St Andrews,” she added.
“They can learn the art of ceilidhing and Scottish country dancing which delivers the social skills we all need growing up.”
The Brook Street premises have been vacant since Robertson’s closed in 2014 and Mrs Hood said the arrival of the new venture would help bring more visitors to Broughty Ferry.
“The premises have been stagnating for about two years,” she said.
The G1 Group also received backing from Stephen Dalton of the Dundee Drug and Alcohol Project.
He told councillors on the licensing committee it is important to change the way alcohol is consumed.
“This is about a cultural change, which seems favourable to me,” he said.
The company also said they were confident there would not be an issue with noise pollution as they were taking measures to ensure soundproofing.
The committee agreed to approve the licence.
The G1 Group, which owns a host of venues across Scotland, will now seek building warrant approvals for their plans for the building, which will see its capacity increase to nearly 300.