BOSSES at the Inverkip Hotel who were told by the council that they couldn't play music at their outdoor seating area have appealed against the decision.

The hotel applied earlier this year for permission to continue using its outdoor seating area, which it says has become a ‘critical element’ in the success of the business.

The Main Street premises' application was approved in August, subject to a number of conditions.

These included a stipulation that no music should be played in the outdoor seating/dining area at any time.

The owners formally objected to that decision and now members of the council’s Local Review Body are set to discuss the matter at a meeting to be held next week.

In a statement included in their notice of review form, the hotel claims the ‘subtle low-level’ music that had been previously played was an ‘essential part’ of creating a hospitable atmosphere.

It adds: “Our operations since May 2021 exemplifies our trading record with this detail in place. I have never received any form of complaint regarding this. It is a detail that I meticulously control as we are genuinely considerate operators.

'I have hotel guests who stay in bedrooms directly beside the space and it would be detrimental to play any music that would affect their comfort and stay with us.'

The applicants go on to state that they have a young family living nearby and that they operate from a ‘personally empathetic’ standpoint regarding operations at the hotel.

Their statement continues: 'Due to the isolated location of the space my request would be that we can continue to play low level background music that cannot be heard outwith the space and for us to be advised of a decibel level that protects occupiers from ‘unreasonable noise and vibration levels’.

'Without background music the space can feel empty and un-atmospheric.

'We always strive to create positive and friendly hospitality that makes guests feel comfortable for all no matter if alone or joining us as a group.'

The Covid-19 pandemic saw a relaxation in planning requirements on outdoor areas at licensed premises, which the hotel took advantage of when it opened its own space in May 2021.

Planning documents submitted alongside the original application state that no permanent alterations have been made to the area, which is at the rear of the property adjacent to the car park area.

But the owners say 'substantial' investment was required for furniture, compliance with licensing compliance, health and safety, fire safety and garden design.

The original application attracted two objections, with a further representation objecting submitted after the hotel lodged their notice of review.

The further objection was submitted on behalf of a nearby resident and claims that the continued use of the outdoor seating and dining area would have a ‘profoundly adverse impact’ on the health and wellbeing of the local man.

It argues that the outdoor area creates a ‘unacceptable vehicular congestion and obstruction’ and causes parking problems on the street.

It is also claimed that the proposal to remove the music-related condition would increase the ‘already high’ instances of singing and shouting.

Bosses at the Inverkip Hotel have responded to the objection in a further letter, reiterating that no concerns have been raised regarding the outdoor space by nearby parties since it opened two and a half years ago.

Councillors will decide whether to overturn the no-music condition at the next Local Review Body meeting on December 6.