A company that made hand sanitiser during the pandemic have had plans for a new bar approved.
Despite opposition from residents and businesses, Aintree Gin has secured a premises licence from Liverpool Council ’s licensing and gambling sub-committee to operate a new venue on Walton Vale. The bar will operate from 9.30am to midnight throughout the week.
Aintree Gin launched in January 2020 to bars and restaurants across the city and will now open its first permanent location. During the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the fledgling company began to make its own hand sanitiser after production of its beverage halted.
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As the outbreak of the virus put a stop to events at the nearby racecourse and subsequent Grand National meet, the business was left with what it described as “excessive stocks” of ethanol and converted its production line to produce an antibacterial sanitiser spray. The plans to open a bar were met with criticism by residents and businesses in the area, with seven objections sent into Liverpool Council.
Among the concerns, which were partially redacted, were the need to “prevent trouble” caused by “drunken behaviour” and questions were raised if the applicant can “keep music to a level that doesn’t disturb residents”. A fellow business owner on Walton Vale said they consider the bar’s potential clientele to be “detrimental” to its own operation.
The objection added that the new venue could bring anti-social behaviour and “more problems/police call out/noise”. Concerns had also been raised regarding the number of pubs and restaurants opening around Walton Vale and the “ridiculous” amount of noise they make, according to one dissenting resident.
Despite no objections being lodged by Merseyside Police, environmental health or the licensing authority, one objector felt that an additional drinking establishment was one too many. They said: “Although opening a new bar is an exciting business adventure, I believe that doing this in a residential area that already has seven local bars and restaurants is a little bit excessive.”
Further issues around parking and availability of taxis near the new venue were also submitted to the sub-committee, which met last week to reach its decision on the application.
