Plans for a city centre restaurant have quashed concerns it will be “another Hooters”.
Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee has given the go-ahead to plans for a new eatery to open on the ground floor of Norwich House on Water Street. Proposals had initially been submitted for a licence to trade alcohol until 2am as well as a request to play live music.
After discussions with Merseyside Police, the applicant Parvis Rezaee, dropped the music plan and changed the opening times in a bid to secure permission. Bill Wodkin, speaking on behalf of the applicant Parvis Rezaee, told the committee that the plans were “purely for a restaurant” despite concerns being raised the venue would represent something similar to the controversial American chain brand that received approval earlier this year.
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He said Mr Rezaee was a “competent and professional” operator who had no issues surrounding his involvement with two other city venues in the last 14 years. Mr Wodkin added that the site had “not had a proper tenant for nearly three years” and had become something of an “eyesore”.
The venue, which will benefit from £100,000 worth of investment, will employ upto 20 staff, according to Mr Wodkin, and would serve a variety of English and Mediterranean meals. Asked about sanitation concerns, Bob Collins, advising Mr Rezaee, said: “I don’t think the clientele this venue will attract will cause any undue problems when they leave.”
Despite the applicant working with Merseyside Police, Cllr Nick Small, central ward member, had raised representations. He said he wanted to ensure the venue would operate solely as a restaurant, rather than a bar.
He said: “This is part of the city centre where there has been a high quality night time economy develop over the last few years. I welcome the investment the applicant has made and it would add value to the area.
“The issue I had was that it would operate solely as a restaurant, not as a bar. This can be good for Liverpool and good for this part of the city.”
The venue, which had formerly been home to a salon and architects, was granted a licence based on conditions that it would open from 8am to midnight on Sunday to Thursday, 8am to 1am Friday to Saturday. Music must be of a background variety and no more than 15 people may be at the bar area at any one time.
Conditions agreed with Merseyside Police include a zero tolerance drugs policy with regular toilet checks being made. A full-time host will be present on the door during opening hours to oversee ingress and egress of customers and remind them to be courteous of neighbours with unaccompanied children will not be allowed at any time, unless attending the premises with family members to consume a pre-booked table meal only.
