A menu for every season - West Kirby restaurant granted licence despite local reservations

A restaurant boasting a menu for every season is set to come to West Kirby, after its plans were approved.

Wirral Council's Licensing Panel granted an alcohol licence to 625 at 86 Banks Road, allowing it to serve alcoholic drinks from 11am-10.30pm every day of the week.

The restaurant will close at 11pm, allowing people to finish their final drink of the night.

Applicants Steve and Charlie Carney, a father and son team, set out their plans for a "bespoke interior" and "exceptional outside space" to deliver fine dining in a relaxed setting.

Steve Carney explained that a "most amazing" menu which will change every season has been produced, with fresh produce from local butchers supporting it.

The applicants said customers will be able to choose from small and large plates, with a flexible menu allowing people to construct their own unique meal.

However, some local residents were deeply worried about several aspects of the application.

Louise Jones and Gary Witherspoon, who live directly above the restaurant, thought it may generate noise and smells which would harm their daily lives.

They were frustrated that the applicants had not spoken to them more about their plans and were annoyed about a strong solvent smell generated by work going on at 625 - however the applicant said this work has now finished.

Seeking to ease their concerns, Heswall ward Conservative councillor Andrew Hodson, who chairs the Licensing Panel, said the restaurant's licence could be reviewed if it is causing problems in the area.

Cllr Alison Wright, a fellow Conservative, who was speaking as a local ward councillor rather than a panel member, said there were serious concerns about 625, given existing issues with the late night consumption of alcohol in the area.

She was worried that people may move from nearby bars to this restaurant as the evening goes on, increasing the likelihood of disruption.

Defending the applicants, their solicitor Ewen Macgregor said the father and son duo were willing to work with residents to ease their concerns and that the application represented a significant investment in hospitality in West Kirby at a time when the industry is on its knees.

Ultimately, the Licensing Panel chose to approve the application after acknowledging that the premises would operate as a restaurant rather than a bar.

The willingness of the applicants to try to address local concerns, and the fact that Merseyside Police and other bodies did not object to the proposal were also factors in the committee's decision.

Conditions were attached to the licence, including keeping windows closed to prevent noise escaping and having the bins collected between 9am and 5pm.