Seafront restaurant loses alcohol licence

A seafront restaurant has lost its licence to sell alcohol following a review by Brighton & Hove City Council's licensing team.

The action was taken against Azure of Madeira Drive, Brighton, following concerns about persistent breaches of the licence for the premises.

A licensing panel was told there had been an unprecedented level of visits by the council and police since the licence was granted three years ago.

Azure’s licence meant it could only sell alcohol if consumed along with a full meal – however this condition was repeatedly breached by offering customers a cup or plate of cold pasta if they wanted a drink.

Licensing officers were also concerned about repeated changes of management at the seasonal premises and all efforts to work with licence holders to resolve the problems failed. The business was given, in effect, a series of ‘yellow cards’ but advice and warnings were ignored.

Councillor Jackie O’Quinn, chair of the council’s Licensing Committee, said:  “This is the first time that the council, as the licensing authority, has called for a licence review. This underlines what a serious case this is and sends out a clear message that we will take action against licence holders who breach the conditions of their licence.”