By George Morgan, Local Democracy Reporter

Jonty Trott had hoped to finish serving food around 10pm at his new restaurant, Tahona, based at The Curve on The Mount, before serving alcohol until 1.30am. But a three-councillor panel turned down this demand and said the restaurant must stop serving booze at 11pm and close by 11.30pm.

Speaking at a meeting of Wirral Council's Licensing Panel on April 6, Heswall councillor Andrew Hodson said residents were not against a restaurant, or perhaps a bar, opening, but they were worried about the prospect of a late bar or "staff drinking club".

Cllr Hodson said the Mexican restaurant would be somewhere to go when other places closed and people would be attracted to it "like moths drawn to a light". The Conservative councillor thought people would leave the nearby Wetherspoons, which is set to open in May and must close by 11.30pm, and make their way across to this late night drinking bar.

Cllr Hodson said all residents wanted was peace and quiet in the middle of the night. In total, 21 residents contacted Wirral Council to voice their concerns with the plan. Documents prepared for the meeting said the residents had "strong concerns regarding the operating hours" due to how close the premises is to residential properties.

As well as alcohol, Tahona will be allowed to play live music between 6pm and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and recorded music from 9am until 11pm every day of the week.

Mr Trott defended his plan and believed there had been a "misunderstanding" about what he was seeking to open. He clarified it will be a restaurant and people can have a drink there after a meal or after work.

But Mr Trott said if door staff were needed he would use them in collaboration with Wetherspoons, although it was not his intention for people to fall out of another bar and come into Tahona. The applicant also made the point that around 500 metres away from his bar there are other venues which open later than 1.30am.

Labour councillor Chris Jones, one member of the three-councillor panel which decided to reduce Tahona's opening hours, said Mr Trott needed to think about his clientele. She suggested it sounded a little bit like he was looking to open a "staff club".

Mr Trott said he would be selling high quality spirits and high quality drinks and added that it was not about saying "here's five drinks for a tenner, see how you get on". The applicant also told the committee the restaurant plan was being put forward by three lads who have lived in the area all of their lives and want to do something good for the community.

Ultimately, the licence was granted but with shorter hours than the applicant had hoped for.