A new cocktail bar has this week been given the go-ahead to open in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea despite opposition from some nearby residents.
Michael Whitfield, the co-owner of The Vapoury at Unit 2 in Chapel Street, applied to Sedgemoor District Council for full planning permission to convert the former shop premises into a new cocktail bar which will also offer e-cigarette – or vape – products.
Dozens of residents and the Town Council raised concerns about possible noise and access issues. Two petitions, one with 22 signatures and the other with 70 signatures, were presented to the council, and 25 letters of support were also sent in backing the plans.
The district council’s Development Control Committee considered the proposals at its meeting on Tuesday (October 13th) and gave the plans the go-ahead.
Mr Whitfield assured residents that it will be run in a professional manner as a quality establishment. And a majority of Sedgemoor councillors agreed that the scheme should go ahead during their meeting held on Tuesday.
Writing on the Burnham-On-Sea Facebook page, Mr Whitfield explained that the bar will function as a coffee/vape bar offering superfast wi-fi while in the evening it will become an over 21’s wine bar, offering quality cocktails.
“After a hard day or week it would be a nice place for our customers to enjoy a quality glass of wine, beer and cocktail in a classy environment and be given the VIP treatment we all need sometimes.”
“On behalf of myself and my father we would just like to say that we are of course delighted with gaining our change of use. We feel this is great news for the town as well for us. It’s our hope this will generate new life into the town. Thank you to everyone for all your kind words of support. We look forward to welcoming you to ‘The Vapoury’ in the coming weeks.”
The bar’s change of use application was granted on Tuesday. A separate application for a premises license will now be sought for approval.
