Decision made on Tarbert seafood restaurant drinks bid

The owners of the Red Herring, at Stanley Place on Harbour Street, were due to have their application for a full premises licence heard by the Argyll and Bute Licensing Board.

However, councillors on the board were advised that was changed to a provisional premises licence due to the absence of a safety certificate.

The application was heard at the licensing board’s meeting on Tuesday, June 25.

Applicant James MacMillan said: “The application is for an existing restaurant, which was a tandoori restaurant based in Harbour Street. We have taken over the premises.

“We are leasing it and opening with the intent of supplying seafood which is caught or brought ashore in Tarbert. The application is for serving wine and beer with meals.”

Councillor Audrey Forrest, Dunoon, asked if the issues with the safety certificate were being dealt with.

Mr MacMillan responded: “This is something that only became apparent last week. I still do not have a copy of what the building warrant was.

“This was in 2007 and the landlord does not know anything about it. I am now speaking to his lawyer, but I am dealing with it.

“It has been an awful fright for us, but it is our problem, and I am doing everything I can. I do not know what the warrant is for.”

The application was then granted unanimously, with a clerk clarifying that once building standards matters were resolved, a section 50 will be issued, and forwarded to Argyll and Bute Council to confirm the licence.