A Whitley Bay burger restaurant has been granted permission to sell alcohol, despite the venue being in a restricted licensing zone.

Friez & Burgz, on Whitley Road, has been granted a licence to serve alcohol by North Tyneside Council’s licensing sub-committee.

The eatery can now serve alcoholic beverages, with meals, to patrons from 9am to 10.30pm all week.

The application also calls for a 30-minute drink-up period. Alcohol will also not be permitted for sale off the premises.

North Tyneside Council building at Cobalt Business Park.

placeholder image — North Tyneside Council building at Cobalt Business Park.

Despite no objections from the council’s own licensing team or Northumbria Police, the application had attracted five public objections, largely concerned with anti-social behaviour.

The venue is also located within Whitley Bay’s cumulative impact zone, meaning the council has a greater power to reject alcohol applications.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant Alex Lukas, Beverley Smith of Aspire Licensing said: “Friez & Burgz is and will remain a food-led restaurant business. The primary purpose of the premises is the sale and consumption of freshly prepared meals.

“Alcohol is intended to form only a small and auxiliary part of the overall customer offering. Alcohol will be available solely as an accompaniment to meals and consumed on the premises.

“It is not intended to be the primary attraction of the premises, nor will the business operate as a bar.”

The representative also pointed out that the company operates a licensed Friez & Burgz venue within Newcastle’s alcohol impact zone. The restaurant has operated with a licence for years without incident. Staff have also undergone training in preparation for the application being granted.

After deliberation, North Tyneside Council’s licensing committee approved the application.