A small-scale spirits producer has secured permission to lengthen its trading hours, though it is now seeking new accommodation.

Madame Jennifer Distillery, situated on Montgomery Street in Hove, has been given the green light to stay open until 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as until 9.30pm on Sundays, after a licensing hearing took place.

The business, run by Inger Smith, aged 52, and Ian Curtis, aged 51, faced opposition from nearby householders who worried about possible noise issues stemming from heavier pedestrian activity and extra car movements.

Brighton and Hove City Council held its licensing panel on March 20, a Friday, during which Ms Smith suggested limiting the quantity of tours and sampling events held at the venue housed within Poets Corner House.

Since the licence change was granted, Ms Smith has disclosed that tour activities have completely halted.

She said the company was pleased that the licensing panel had supported their application and recognised that their tours had been carried out properly, without any recorded incidents or formal complaints.

She added that unfortunately, following discussions with the landlord, they can no longer provide distillery tours or tasting events at their current site.

She thanked all customers who had backed them over the years, noting that teaching guests about distillation science, artisan gin making and their product selection had been an incredibly fulfilling part of what they do.

She mentioned they are presently in the process of finding new premises where they can restart tours and keep offering this experience to their customers.

The amended licence will offer improved ease for shoppers buying gin straight from the maker.

The council’s decision noted that the panel considered the application reasonable and did not expect any increase in noise or disturbance for local residents.

The council observed that the events had clearly been managed competently, as no complaints or incidents had been reported.