AN Inveraray bistro has won its bid to extend its on-sales licence to midnight seven days a week in order to host private functions.

Brambles Restaurant successfully proposed other changes to the terms of its licence, including increasing the capacity to 72.

Four residential rooms overlooking the garden suite will also be added to the premises licence as a result of the application.

The bid for changes to the licence was heard by the Argyll and Bute licensing board at its meeting on Tuesday, September 24.

Solicitor Sandy Murray said: “There are two purposes of this application – to incorporate within the licenced premises the four rooms overlooking the garden room at the back, and to do a tidying up exercise on the licence.

“There was a need to pull it into line with some of the more modern wordings of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

“Brambles currently provides restaurant services during the day, and runs from 7.30am to 5pm. The Campbells have a number of residential accommodations in Inveraray and provide breakfasts and meals for people staying, and visitors.

“The unit that comprises the four residential units over the garden suite form a natural grouping, and I think it would be reasonable to include these in the licence.”

Licensing standards officer Raymond Park asked for clarification on a seasonal variation proposed by the restaurant’s management.

Mr Murray added: “The premises are very busy over the summer. During the winter the premises get quieter, but they do occasionally get busy.

“They do occasional functions and when they do them, they are looking for the opportunity to be able to open.

“I suspect there will be no more than half a dozen during a winter period, and they would like the option, but they would not be used excessively.”

Councillor Kieron Green (Independent, Oban North and Lorn) asked: “Would this only be for pre-booked functions?”

Mr Murray said: “No, they might have Christmas dinners, but they would be pre-booked. It would not be a case of simply opening hoping people will turn up.”

The licensing board unanimously granted the application.