By Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Esson
A Broadstairs trader has won a bid to sell alcohol from his techni-coloured kiosk in Stone Bay, Broadstairs, following a recent decision by council licensing chiefs.
Daniel Montila, 43, moved to allay concerns, telling residents his venue, complete with extended opening hours, is a “family hub” in response to 20 public objections, with some citing fears over potential antisocial behaviour.
Previously, Mr Montila’s licence enabled him to operate from 8am – 2pm on Fridays through to Monday. The new licence means he will be allowed to open from 8am-10pm each day and serve alcohol from 10am until close.
The application was submitted in late March this year.
Objections
Prior to the district council’s licensing sub-committee on June 9, 20 residents wrote to the local authority in objection.
“I believe it will encourage potentially rowdy behaviour and am concerned for the safety of my neighbouring beach hut,” wrote Rebecca Arnold.
“Last summer The Hut played loud music daily which spoiled the beach atmosphere. This is not a trendy London hotspot; it is a family beach.”
Christine Moulton, chair of the local neighbourhood watch, spoke at the licensing sub-committee on Friday. She said: “I don’t see there’s a need for this facility because people who live locally leave at 6pm, so what on earth are you thinking putting your staff at risk from 6pm-10pm at night.”
She said the new opening hours would place staff in danger of rowdy youths.
‘Flexibility’
But speaking after the meeting, Mr Montila said his plans will help deter antisocial behaviour.
“The price point of a pint of beer down there – we’re not sure what it’ll be – but it certainly doesn’t fit the demographic of the teenagers, and they won’t want to be coming down to that part of the beach should there be adults down there, because they’d like to go to a barren area,” he said.
“So us being open would probably help stop the beach and the beach huts from being vandalised.”
He added the licence is “a small part of our business and even though we have a 10 o’clock licence we certainly wouldn’t be looking to open every weekend until 10pm because there just isn’t the trade.
“We just want that for flexibility should we need it in future. Generally we’ll only be serving alcohol until the sun goes (down), which is generally about 4 o’clock, so it’s more of a small daytime offering of one beer or one wine.”
The Hut also received permission to place tables and chairs on part of the beach for customers to have food and drinks.
At Mr Montila’s suggestion, the licensing committee granted permission to serve alcohol from 10am-10pm all week in May, June, July and August, but only until 6pm for the rest of the year.
Mr Montila said the beach hosts bootcamp-style obstacle course activities early on weekends, and when The Hut started trading last year he had a meeting with residents.
“We always keep the residents informed of what we’re doing, we’re just a small local beach place looking to improve and give a good service to the area.
“We take on the views of the locals, The Hut is very much a community hub.”
