The seafood venue Riddle and Finns secured permission to serve oysters and fizz along the seafront but has abandoned the plans because of blustery conditions.
The business aimed to set up a temporary oyster hut to commemorate twenty years of trading in Brighton, placing a marquee next to its Shelter Hall site on King’s Road. With breezy weather predicted for the Easter holiday weekend, the company has postponed its milestone festivities until May and plans to lodge a fresh temporary event application to cover the new dates.
Sussex Police lodged protests against the application that would have allowed Riddle and Finns to sell drink between midday and 8pm from Friday 3 April through Monday 6 April.
The force’s licensing official Mark Thorogood observed that bank holiday periods place considerable strain on emergency services and challenged why the venue was broadening its offering to encompass takeaway sustenance and refreshments.
He told members of Brighton and Hove City Council’s licensing panel that the police do support businesses using temporary event applications for occasions such as private gatherings, festivities or national commemorations.
In the preceding year, 1,150 such applications were filed with the council without any objection from Sussex Police.
Addressing the licensing committee meeting, Mr Thorogood stated that their concern regarding this application centred on the permission for off-premises alcohol sales, which given its location would probably be consumed on the beach.
He elaborated that when assessing the off-sales element, the licence holder has limited capacity to control what occurs once beverages depart the premises.
He pointed to risks encompassing sexual crimes, proxy purchasing for underagers and serving people already drunk.
He further observed that merging alcohol consumption with the sea is not something they can support.
Riddle and Finns proprietor Rob Shenton, 54, explained that the marquee would stand within the venue’s boundaries, exclusively providing oysters, champagne and sparkling wine.
He stated that their aim was to connect with Brighton locals whom they do not normally get the chance to meet and that they were marking two decades in Brighton.
Mr Shenton, who attended the licensing committee on Wednesday 25 March alongside fellow director Adam Brian, expressed optimism for further occasions throughout their celebration year.
He explained that champagne was all they were planning to supply, that they were not seeking to provide spirits, lager, draft beverages or comparable products.
He added that it was also a considerably pricier product, which would discourage many people, especially younger customers.
Mr Shenton indicated the marquee would operate for just one day, with sales wrapping up at 6pm. The longer hours and multiple days were designed to accommodate potential unfavourable weather.
The council’s decision letter indicated that the panel determined that the limited, premium-priced alcohol available with food primarily during daytime hours was unlikely to exacerbate existing problems in the locality and on the shore. The premises users were established and responsible operators. It would not likely create a precedent and, while perhaps not strictly an occasion as such, it represented a promotional opportunity and celebration of their continued trading, moreover the Licensing Act 2003 does not require a specified event.