PEOPLE in Ilkley will soon have a couple more places to enjoy a drink after two separate eateries were given alcohol licenses.

Yorkshire-based healthy-eating firm Filmore and Union was yesterday given permission to serve alcohol at its new restaurant and bar in The Grove.

The company, founded in 2011 by Adele Carnell, already has businesses in York, Leeds, Wetherby, Harrogate and Skipton, and opened the Ilkley outlet earlier this month.

Yesterday, a meeting of the Bradford District licensing panel agreed the premises could serve alcohol and play recorded music until 10.30pm, Sunday to Thursday, and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

The firm's legal representative, Christopher Rees-Gay, said the whole business employed 120 people, and the Ilkley eatery would have 20 staff members.

"It is small, but it is very high-end," he said.

Mr Rees-Gay said the premises also had an outside decking area where people could drink.

Seven residents had written in with concerns the business could cause a disturbance at night, especially on this decking area.

Mr Rees-Gay said as a result, the company had agreed not to play music in the outside area, and would also restrict people from taking drinks outside beyond 10pm.

He said they were happy to limit the decking area to smokers – without drinks – after this time.

None of the objectors attended the meeting, but the panel heard one had queried whether the decking had planning permission.

Panel member Councillor Mike Ellis (Con, Bingley Rural) said this wasn't a matter for the licensing panel, but urged the company to look into the matter.

He said: "The last thing you want is a planning enforcement notice."

Speaking after the meeting, operations director, Andrew Carnell, said he was delighted they had been granted a licence, and said they would start serving alcohol as soon as possible.

He added: "Our customers will be very pleased."

The panel also granted a licence to restaurateur Nuri Dogan, who is opening a Turkish eatery in Crescent Court.

Panel member Mike Pollard (Con, Baildon) said the application for a licence had been "exemplary", with lots of detail on how it would prevent crime and nuisance and keep the public safe.

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