A specialist Arran-based company which makes festive hampers will be able to showcase its products over Christmas after licensing chiefs relaxed their policy.
Tom and Shiona McGarrigle of the Arran Gift Box Company applied to North Ayrshire’s licensing board for an occasional licence open a pop-up shop at Home Farm, Cladach, in the run-up to Christmas. This will be is addition their shop in Brodick.
Legal representative Robin Morton said: “When my clients applied for their licence, it was not in lieu of a permanent licence at this point.
“They want to operate this as a pop-up there from October if possible to the first or second week in January and there would be no more licences. Then, just after that, they would apply for a permanent premises licence.
“They see this as the perfect opportunity to test the water and offer their service.
“They offer boxes and hampers with Arran-based products including small miniatures and whisky or gin, hence why they need a licence for it.
“It’s been a hard couple of years with ferries and covid. They see they have a captive market in the shop.”
He added: “It’s okay in terms of the board’s policy to look at allowing a pop-up for the shopping festival and joining in the build up to the actual festive period rather than coming in for December and into January. Hopefully you are prepared to relax your policy on this occasion.
“My clients see this as an opportunity to test the waters, to offer a service which is boxes and hampers of Arran-based products including food and small miniatures of whisky or gin. They do gift boxes and hampers online.”
Councillor Nairn McDonald proposed granting the occasional licence and this was agreed by the board.
Councillor Nairn McDonald.
No_B04NAC01