Email to York Licensing                                                        24 October 2022

I am fully aware that the consultation for this licence has ended. However, it has only recently come to my attention that this building already has approval from the Council for restaurant facilities to be set up in this space. This is disappointing because of the negative impact such a business could have on the local environment - this space could have been used for other purposes that, in my humble opinion, are more necessary to this community (e.g. a vet, a lawyer, a pharmacy, a post office, a GP practice, a nursery). I presume the local residents were consulted during the planning permission process about this.

Now we have the opportunity to offer our opinion on this matter in terms of the operational side of the restaurant business that could potentially use the space, I think it is important that I share the below with you.

I thank the applicant for willing to invest in the local community, and I suggest the below:

. The business is open 6 or 7 days a week, opening at 9:00 and closing at 15:00,  or anytime until 17:00.

. The business serves food only behind closed doors, no seating facilities are set up outside.

. The business does not serve alcohol.

. The business is not allowed to play live music.

. The business is not allowed to play recorded music, or it can play appropriate recorded music (e.g. classical music, lounge music) up to a specific noise level and behind closed doors at all times.

. Visitors to the business should park outside the estate.

. Clear signs should be put up asking visitors to respect the local community (e.g. by not polluting the area with noise or otherwise). The staff working for this business should also adhere to these terms.

. The business should adhere to accessible design principles, offering parking space (for pushchairs, bicycles, mobility scooters) outside, and relevant facilities (such as ramps) inside, so all members of the community (e.g. able, disabled, or users with limited mobility) can make use of the space.

. The business should operate under a probation period of 24 months to begin with, and if residents bring forward evidence that the above terms have not been met, the Council should review and potentially remove the licence or request for a new restaurant business to be set up that meets this criteria.

Aside from the above, here is an alternative, inclusive idea to the original exclusive, elitist concept of 'high-end pizza and wine'. Cyclists and runners, young children and their families, elderly residents with their friends and families, dog owners are the majority users of this community. As such, the business can offer a service for this type of customers, serving healthy foods and non-alcoholic drinks. 

It is also important to be thinking about the impact to the environment that such businesses have across the world. Choosing to operate in a way that is environmentally friendly should be a priority, whether that is through the equipment used, the marketing materials, the cutlery, the packaging, how the food served is sourced and where is sourced from etc. Through and through from start to finish the business should be operating sustainably and with the least possible impact to our planet and of course the local community.

I would be happy to expand on any of the above points, if necessary, to help the applicant figure out a more inclusive approach to this project. 

It would be much appreciated if you could please include this information to the material the Council is already reviewing about the project. Please accept my sincere apologies once again that I was not aware the space has already received approval to accommodate a restaurant, which meant that my initial objection letter was in part not immediately relevant.

Yours sincerely,

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The Residence YO23 1FF