A Somerset pub will be able to create a new beer garden for its customers after being granted a new licence.

Phil and Gaynor Burke opened the Iron Duke on Burnham-on-Sea’s seafront in July, taking on the business formerly known as the Island Bay Bar and Vinnie’s.

The couple applied to change their existing licence, in order to allow a new beer garden to be created at the rear of the property, replacing an existing car park.

Sedgemoor District Council has now granted this new licence after a number of local residents withdrew their objections at the eleventh hour.

The pub lies between the Fabulous Showboat arcades and The Reed Arms pub, which is operated by J. D. Wetherspoon’s.

Under the new licence, the pub will be able to serve and supply alcohol throughout its premises (including the new beer garden) from 11am until midnight from Sunday until Thursday – with an extension to 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and Sundays before a bank holiday.

While the licence also allows for live and recorded music throughout, Mr Burke said that no music would be played outside and that children would not be allowed in the beer garden after 10pm.

At a licensing and gambling panel held in Bridgwater on Monday afternoon (September 26), Mr Burke said neighbours’ objections to the changes had been withdrawn after he clarified these details.

He said: “We communicated with the objectors who live about 150 metres away in one particular road.

“Once we spoke to them and assured them there would be no live music outside, they just withdrew their objections.

“We just want a beer garden – it’s totally enclosed, safe for children, safe for dogs.

“It’s a waste of time as a car park, since someone always has to move to let someone out, so it doesn’t work.”

Councillor Polly Costello, who chaired the panel, said: "Mr Burke had taken the concerns of the objectors seriously, taking the opportunity to approach them and address their concerns over misinformation regarding extended hours, and offering up some 13 conditions for inclusion on any licence granted, in addition to those agreed with the police. This had resulted in all the objections being withdrawn.

“Consequently, it was our decision that the Iron Duke be granted a variation of the premises licence on the terms requested and with the conditions
agreed with the police, and those offered by Mr Burke."