Fig in Bradford on Avon gets premises licence approved

Fig, at 5 The Shambles, will now be able to sell alcohol until 11pm, with a one-hour extension for New Year’s Eve.

The directors of the business told councillors they are trying to set up a “social hub” for the town.

They attended the western area licensing meeting in Trowbridge on Wednesday, September 25, to speak in support of their application.

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The patio at the centre of the debate. (Image: Fig)Hakan Tiryaki explained that the use of alcohol would be “to complement” their service.

He said: “When we say gin bar or wine bar, that does not mean we are opening a night club or a pub.”

According to Mr Tiryaki, the business envisions serving glasses of alcohol with tapas-style food, for example.

He concluded: “We are here to find a solution and a resolution to the matter; we are not here to cause problems to anyone else or affect anyone else’s life.”

However, residents from Coppice Hill were also in attendance, and expressed their concerns regarding the use of the small terrace near their homes.

They said that an increase in noise was “inevitable” and suggested it was “extremely dangerous” to allow people to sit near such a narrow road.

One resident said: “The noise transference is greater than you would imagine.

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“You can hear conversations that the greengrocers are having at the bottom of The Shambles from where I live.

“So, anyone sat outside in that space, I would be able to hear their conversations.”

She added: “If you add alcohol into the mix, it’s a different kettle of fish.”

Another said he had been living on Coppice Hill for 28 years and was worried that drinks would be consumed on the street.

“The noise that is generated, even a small amount of noise is just going to transfer all the way up the road and it’s just intolerable,” he explained.

He argued that the outside patio was not fit for use “at any time”.

Seeking a compromise, the committee resolved to approve the licence with the condition that the outdoor area would be closed off from 6pm every evening.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Tiryaki said: “I think that it’s great that people had an opportunity to raise their concerns.

“Creating a new business is very exciting but it’s very, very important to respect people’s way of life.”

He added that they were looking forward to their “new adventure” and would invite the residents to their opening day.