Glasgow West End deli’s bid to sell alcohol 'up in the air' after neighbour row

A West End deli’s bid to sell alcohol is up in the air over claims from a neighbour the premises has been leaving a “mess” in a close.

Councillors were given a photo of the bins from Santa Lucia Deli on Byres Road “not looking tidy” at today’s licensing board.

As a result of the concerns the board decided talks need to be held with the deli on how the business disposes of its rubbish. Councillors decided to continue a provisional premises licence application from the business until waste management discussions happen.

A resident told the board how vermin is an issue and there has been bread and oil left out in the close.

The man who objected to the eatery’s application said: “They are making a real mess.”

He added: “I don’t see why they should be allowed to expand their premises.”

A representative of the applicant MMS Restaurants said the “operators (of the deli) are very experienced” and run other premises.

The representative said his client offered to meet the objector but “nothing came back” and they would be happy to meet.

He pointed out bin bags had been dumped in the back court by others as well as a suitcase.

Explaining how things are dumped by residents, he added: “It is wrong to blame the mess in the back court at the door of the operator” – adding: “we don’t accept it is our mess.”

The meeting heard a complaint was made to the council about commercial waste while another one was lodged over domestic rubbish.

Councillor Dan Hutchison said he had seen a picture of the commercial bins from the premises not looking “tidy” and “organised.”

He added: “We have photographic evidence.”

A decision on the licensing application will be made at a later date as the matter is being continued.