The specialist licensing department of Fraser Brown solicitors has won a unique case to licence part of one of Europe’s largest privately owned beaches.
The beach, owned by Smugglers Bar Limited, fronts almost a four mile section of the promenade at Ingoldmells in Lincolnshire, a tourist destination enjoying a huge renaissance boosted by a renewed appeal for domestic UK holidays.
The Company plans to construct a large bar and restaurant and required a licence for the premises, including the beach and promenade adjacent, for the sale of alcohol and all forms of regulated entertainment.
Walaiti Rathore headed up the Fraser Brown team for this case: "This was a complex case that involved negotiations with a wide range of public sector agencies and the extended business community operating near to the site. Initial consultations began over a year ago with the Police to discuss this application and to agree conditions to address their concerns. Those conditions included risk assessments for larger outdoor events, appropriate security precautions with CCTV installations and the introduction of the Challenge 21 scheme. In short, we were able to present our client as the reasonable and responsible operator it is and which has the wider interests of the community in mind."
Such was the strength of the case, that the Licensing Sub Committee effectively dismissed suggestions by objectors to refuse the application or impose a list of onerous conditions.
Simon Adderley, a director of Smugglers Bar Limited: "I understand that this case was unusual – not least because it is so rare to find a beach of this size and situation in private ownership. We had a vision when we bought it some five years ago to transform the area. We can now go ahead with our plans to rebuild the beach bar and add a mobile stage capable of accomodating larger entertainment events. Overall we will be investing something in the region of £1.4 million which we believe will benefit the entire area, already considered the fastest growing tourist resort in the UK with 1.7 million visitors a year to the seafront."
"We intend to create a Caribbean style atmosphere, with free entertainment staged for all groups of visitors within a safe environment. It will attract families back to enjoy a full day out at the beach and revitalise and modernise the British seaside experience. The volume of people that this operation will attract will present an opportunity for all businesses in Ingoldmells to share."
"Fraser Brown was recommended to me by a number of individuals in the industry because of their specialist experience. I have to say that they have totally lived up to their reputation and that the knowledge and experience offered by the team has been invaluable. I believe that our win represents the longest licensing process in Lincolnshire history."
Construction is already underway on the new beach bar which is scheduled to open with some considerable fanfare on 24th May.
More information regarding Fraser Brown can be found at www.fraserbrown.com.
Fraser Brown is a dynamic law practice working at premises in Nottinghamshire through its branches in Nottingham, Radcliffe on Trent and Bingham.
Its philosophy is to deliver superior legal advice through a personal and highly professional service for both commercial and private clients. Since 1990, Fraser Brown has acquired eight established and respected local firms as part of its major growth strategy for doing business in the 21st Century.
Fraser Brown is one of the region's longest established firms of solicitors. Over the last 12 months, it has experienced significant growth in areas such as property, contract work, construction and general litigation.