Angus licensing board members have given the go-ahead for a beer garden extension at a popular Montrose pub.
Sharky’s on George Street received unanimous approval for the extra space after satisfying a range of conditions laid down by the board.
Representatives gave an assurance that the extended area will only be accessed through the existing beer garden with no opportunity for people to come in through the car park.
An agent said that the current outdoor area has been used without issue for some time and the pub will be sticking to the current arrangement of stopping outdoor drinking at 9pm.
Board members also approved changes to the licence of the Royal Montrose Golf Club, which the 105-year-old club the world’s ninth-oldest hopes will allow it to maximise the success of modern music events in the Angus town.
Councillors heard golf clubs across the country are facing growing pressure to provide extra benefits to maintain membership and controls over who can enter the clubhouse are proving a barrier to that.
“We would like to encourage our members to hold family parties and similar events without having a large list of members counter-signing them into the club,” a club official told the board.
The Royal Montrose clubhouse is perfectly placed for successful outdoor concerts such as those involving Status Quo and Madness and the club applied to extend its licensing cover to offer fans the chance to enjoy hospitality there before going to gigs.
A little more difficulty in convincing the board to approve a string of applications was encountered by supermarket firm Lidl for its stores in Forfar, Arbroath, Montrose and Brechin after the firm applied for additional space to develop themed in-store displays highlighting wines from different countries.
Councillor Alex King said it would lead to an increase in overall alcohol display space but the application was unanimously approved.