Seafront restaurant wins fight to serve alcohol

Grandpa Dickie's Shed's owners said serving food alone was not enough to keep the business running

A seafront venue has won planning permission to continue to serve alcohol despite complaints from residents.

Grandpa Dickie's Shed in Roker, Sunderland, opened last year but was accused of operating outside of its approved planning permission.

It reapplied to Sunderland City Council but locals objected, with one stating the plans would turn the area into a "weekend pub crawl".

Adam Straughan, who runs the business with his wife, said Grandpa Dickie's Shed needed to offer drinks as "just offering food doesn't cut it" on the seafront.

"We’re not a vertical drinking establishment and all of our customers are seated," he said.

"We do employ door staff when needed to make sure people are dispersed quietly and the area is well looked after."

He added the application was a small alteration that would ensure the business could continue to operate, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'Area had deteriorated'

The Marine Walk restaurant is one of the largest bars at the Pier Point development.

Some residents objected to the plans, with one complaining the area along Marine Walk had become worse due to the opening of new bars.

Another said the council risked "legitimising the rowdy, noisy behaviour and deterioration of the area", if it approved the plans.

However, council planning officers recommended the application for approval.

Their report said there were no highway safety issues and Grandpa Dickie's Shed had carried out a suitable noise assessment.

It added the proposed use would "not be out of character" with other businesses in the area.

Councillors unanimously approved the application but restrictions on the bar's operating hours and use of its outdoor area were added.