Village store gets go ahead after crossing the road

Management of Ardfern Village Store are set to have indoor and outdoor seating in a café in part of the shop, which was previously known as Lucy’s, at Ardfern.

The application was previously listed as being for a full premises licence, but a clerk to the Argyll and Bute licensing board advised that due to delays with paperwork, it would be heard as a provisional application.

The board met and unanimously agreed to grant the provisional licence on Tuesday, April 21.

Licensing standards officer Jacklyn Robertson said: “The application has requested core hours. We discussed a seasonal variation which does deviate slightly from board policy, but will depend on demand.

“It is requested to close a bit earlier on weekends if there is no demand. The outdoor drinking has been requested due to the outdoor seating that the café is able to provide.

“I do not foresee any issues, and it is in support of a move from the previous store into a new building.”

A statement from the applicants prior to the application being heard said: “We are in the process of purchasing this building and intend to move our existing shop into it. We would also have a small cafe with indoor and outdoor seating.

“The building sits alone in the plot with parking to one side and is very central in the village. Both shop and cafe will be open all year round.”

After hearing from the applicants and officers, councillors unanimously approved the application on a provisional basis.