A venue has secured permission to offer oysters and champagne during a seaside promenade weekend that coincides with Easter.
Riddle and Finns aims to create a temporary oyster stall to commemorate two decades of trading in Brighton, with a gazebo positioned near its Shelter Hall establishment along King’s Road.
Sussex Police voiced opposition to the temporary event notice that would enable Riddle and Finns to sell alcohol between noon and 8pm from Friday, April 3 through Monday, April 6.
Force licensing officer Mark Thorogood pointed out that bank holiday weekends place substantial pressure on emergency responders and that the justification for broadening the operating area to encompass takeaway sustenance and drinks remained unexplained.
He told the Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel that Sussex Police does support businesses using temporary event notices for occasions like private functions, festivities, or national celebrations.
During the previous year, 1,150 such notices were lodged with the council without any objection from Sussex Police.
Mr Thorogood told the licensing panel that their worry about this specific notice centred on permitting off-site alcohol sales, which due to its positioning, would almost certainly be consumed on the sandy shore. When considering the off-sales aspects, the licence holder has restricted capacity to maintain control once drinks have left the establishment.
He mentioned worries about sexual offences, supplying minors through intermediaries, and serving individuals already intoxicated.
He additionally observed that merging alcohol consumption with the sea represents something they cannot endorse.
Riddle and Finns proprietor Rob Shenton, 54, clarified that the gazebo would be situated within the business grounds, offering solely oysters, champagne, and sparkling wine.
He explained that the intention is to reach out to Brighton locals with whom they rarely get the chance to interact, and to acknowledge their 20 years in Brighton.
Mr Shenton, who attended the licensing panel meeting last Wednesday (March 25) alongside fellow director Adam Brian, expressed optimism for further events throughout the anniversary timeframe.
He added that they simply wish to provide champagne. There is no plan to supply spirits, lager, draft drinks, or comparable products. This constitutes a substantially pricier offering, which would discourage many customers, especially younger ones.
Mr Shenton noted the gazebo would operate for just one day, finishing sales at 6pm. The longer operating window and additional days were included as a backup in case of poor weather.
The council’s decision letter recorded that the panel concluded that the limited and expensive alcohol available, served mainly alongside food during daytime hours, was unlikely to aggravate existing problems in the locality and on the beach. The premises operators have built up longstanding and accountable trading practices. This was unlikely to create a precedent and, while perhaps not fitting a conventional event description, represented a promotional opportunity and acknowledgement of their continued presence, particularly since the Licensing Act 2003 does not require a specific event classification.