ALTON magistrates have agreed in principle to grant a late licence to a new pub coming to Alton High Street in the near future.
At a licensing hearing last Wednesday, Richard Stringer of the Barracuda Group Ltd was granted provisional permission for the late licence, subject to full compliance with the building plans presented in court.
When eventually granted, the special hours certificate will allow the pub to open between 10 am and 12 pm, Monday to Saturday.
The new pub, which is currently being built in the Crown Hill Gap, will become part of BarracudaÕs ÒSmith and JonesÓ chain, which already boasts 50 outlets in the UK.
Barracuda describes the chain as being a female-friendly contemporary pub chain, with leather seating and pastel colours. The ÒSmith and JonesÓ brand is described in industry magazines as a Òhigh quality chainÓ, and its menu won a national award this year from such a magazine.
The premises, currently known legally as the Littern Tree and owned by SFI (Southern Free Inns), is currently in the process of being acquired by Barracuda. Contracts concerning the property have already been exchanged.
The premises had previously been granted a provisional special entertainments licence, and the special hours certificate seeks to build on the terms allowed by that licence.
In their decision-making process, magistrates looked at the building plans for the site, which feature an outside seating area and a dancing area.
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