A brewer has been granted a drinks licence to set up a street food market and taproom.

Daniel Tapper, 39, who runs Beak Brewery, in Lewes, applied for a drinks licence for the old car hire firm premises next to the Prince Albert pub, in Trafalgar Street, Brighton.

He wants to open a “world-class” indoor street food market similar to those found in Florence, Siena, Bilbao and Borough Market, in London.

His application has been approved by Brighton and Hove City Council.

Some residents, Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council licensing officials had objected to Mr Tapper’s application. Police did not want “off-sales” while Mr Tapper wants to be able to sell cans of Beak Brewery beer. Police also wanted drink sales on the premises to end at 10pm.

 

The licensing committee restricted off-sales to craft brewery cans only and said that off-sales should stop at 8.30pm.

Conditions attached to the licence mean that customers would not be allowed to stand at the bar and drink but must be seated at tables and served by waiting staff.

Mr Tapper was delighted with the decision and said: “Over the last six months, we’ve spent a huge amount of time working with local people to ensure we create plans that will benefit the North Laine area, from residents to other food and drink businesses.

“With this in mind, we are absolutely delighted that the panel has granted us our licence while recognising the exceptional nature of the project and we cannot thank those who supported our application enough.

“We still have some major hurdles to jump before we open, including major restoration works, but I’m confident we can overcome these with the support of the local community and sincerely hope to open by the end of this year.”

A planning application for a change of use is yet to be decided. Four objections have been submitted to the council and 36 comments in support.

To see and comment on the application, visit the planning portal on the council’s website and search for BH2024/00453.