Ayr's Savoy 5 has been granted a further temporary alcohol licence by South Ayrshire Licensing Board, despite concerns from members about delays in securing a full premises licence.
The board agreed to grant an occasional licence for the Racecourse Road venue until its next meeting in August, when operators will be required to provide an update on progress towards obtaining the necessary permissions and certifications.
Licensing officials outlined concerns that the premises has been operating under a succession of occasional licences since December 2025.
Licensing Standards Officer Catrina Andrew told members that occasional licences are intended as a temporary measure while businesses complete the process of obtaining a full premises licence.
She said the premises, which feature a bar, restaurant and letting rooms operating from the former Glenpark Hotel building, had been granted multiple occasional licences while navigating the licensing process.
However, the board heard that planning permission issues have prevented the applicant from progressing to the next stage of the licensing process.
Ms McChristie said no Section 50 certificate from the planning department had yet been obtained and warned that granting further occasional licences could be beyond the timescale originally envisaged by the board when it agreed to allow back-to-back temporary licences.
Board members raised concerns about fairness to other licensed businesses that pay annual fees and comply with the full licensing regime.
Chairing the meeting, Licensing Board Convener Councillor William Grant said he was concerned about the apparent lack of progress towards a premises licence and said the board needed to see movement on the application.
The applicant indicated they were not attempting to avoid the full licensing process and argued that delays were largely due to planning matters outside their control.
The board heard that fire safety and environmental health requirements had already been met and that draft operating and layout plans had been prepared in anticipation of a future premises licence application.
A Savoy 5 representative said the planning application had experienced delays after a planning officer handling the case went on leave, saying this led to a lack of progress of the application.
She told members that the planning application had since been reassigned and discussions with planning officers were ongoing.
Questions were also raised about the status of the building's letting rooms and whether a short-term let licence was required.
Council officers advised that planning permission for residential use granted to a previous owner had never been implemented and that the building continued to be regarded as having hotel use.
Members agreed to grant the occasional licence application but stipulated that it would only run until the board's August meeting.
Councillors also requested a comprehensive update covering planning, licensing and any other relevant council departments before considering any further applications.
The motion was approved unanimously.
