Capacity increase at community pub 'unanimously' agreed in Argyll and Bute

A community run pub has been allowed to increase its capacity after councillors unanimously agreed.

The Port Bannatyne Development Trust sought to increase the capacity for the Anchor Bar to 60, as well as 22 either seated or standing for its community hub.

A representative also detailed plans for the future of a former shop next to the pub, which has been boarded up for many years.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Argyll and Bute licensing board, consisting of councillors from across the area, on Tuesday, September 24.

Premises manager Jenny O’Hagan said: “Over the last year, the committee has bought the empty shop next to the pub/hub, which had been boarded up for at least 30 years and was in a bad state of disrepair.

“This has been done up by volunteers and local businesses to make the hub into a larger space with a larger kitchen and accessible toilet.

“It opened in June this year and all works have been passed by Argyll and Bute Council. This has turned into a space staging events serving food, as well as acting as a local polling station.

“This variation is to increase the capacity. The existing capacity is 52, but following work to crease additional space, we are requesting it is increased to 60, which is the limit for a single exit.

“From my experience working behind the bar, when we have had a capacity of 52, it seems sensible to increase to 60.

“On the hub, we have requested 22 seated and 22 standing. Although it is not part of the application, we are progressing with the shop, which is a separate building, and will be leased out to two local women who have a small bakery.

“This will breathe life into Port Bannatyne, and the committee has done this to improve the look and feel of the village, particularly for visitors.”

Councillor Liz McCabe (Independent, Isle of Bute) said: “Well done on everything that has gone on with the pub and hub. I see it all going on and you have done a very good job.”

The board then unanimously agreed to grant the change of capacity, as well as adding films as an activity on the existing licence.