A bar and restaurant operator in Bristol has won permission for later opening hours despite opposition from police and restrictions on licensing.
Za Za Bazaar (pictured) in the city’s Harbourside area has been allowed an extension of the terminal hour for licensable activities on Fridays and Saturdays from 12.30 to 1.30am, with a closing time of 2am.
The operator’s application for extended hours was strongly opposed by the police and by Bristol City Council and its environmental health and planning departments.
The bar, which opened in 2011, also falls within a cumulative impact zone which controls the number, type and density of licensed premises in a particular area to avoid saturation and anti-social behaviour.
However, Walaiti Rathore, a licensing specialist at Fraser Brown Solicitors, succeeded in gaining the extended hours, subject to agreed conditions, after negotiations on an amended application at a hearing on August 1.
The chairman of the licensing sub-committee, Councillor Ron Stone, commented that it was the first application for extended hours granted since the council adopted a cumulative impact policy.
Rathore said: “This is an example of how effective partnership can and should work, making it possible to reach an agreement with the responsible authorities despite the premises being located in a cumulative impact zone.
“No one disputed the quality of the premises and the contribution it has made to enhance the local day- and night-time economy.
“It was satisfying to see responsibly operated premises being supported but it was also pleasing to achieve a result which was acceptable to all the parties.”
With 1,000 covers and a trading space of over 30,000 square feet, Za Za Bazaar claims to be the UK’s biggest restaurant, covering two floors and including a 274-capacity bar.
It was opened 18 months ago by private operator Maricksons and international chef Nitin Bhatnagar as the first site for a new concept for future roll-out.
