Planning for a Bar??

Manta400r

Hi guys,


i was recently approached to do drawings for my local club to get a bar licence for the hall, there will be no construction other than the construction of a cold storage room for kegs etc

the hall is currently used as a sports and recreational hall,

im wondering do i have to submit a planning application first to get a change of use before the license application is submitted or should i just do the drawings for the judge for the license?

I have never done this type of work and any info would be greatly appreciated

Cheers

Mellor

If you've never done this type of work, are you sure that you are going to be able to do it now.
What sort of expierence/background do you have.

This will require planing permission, I'm not sure on sequencing between planning and license application. There may be an option to run them concurrently, but imo its best to sort planning and any FI request first, then proceed with the lic app

onq

Manta400r you need to be careful with this one.

A bar needs careful planning to allow ease of access to emergency exits at all times, both for patrons and staff.
You need to consider the servicing of the kegs, length of runs from store to tap, refrigeration requirements, loading and unloading, storage of empties etc.

You should visit another premises similar to the current one and have a look at what they've done.
Visit it during operation of the bar and outside bar hours. Talk to the people who run the club and see what improvements they'd suggest to their own place and think about incorporating these into the new design.

If this bar license is for the whole hall you may incur a monstrous intensification of use due to occupancy loading.
The use itself may not be covered under the existing permission.
This means you may need a planning permission for change of use.
You should discuss this with the local authority before any planning application is lodged.

You should talk to the local Gardaí about the license application.

Similary the premises may also need a new Fire Safety Certificate.
A chat with the fire officer before any lodgement could pay huge dividends.

All the building regulations that apply should be reviewed.
This may include Part M - Access for the Disabled.
This in turn may require new disabled toilet facilities.
With a place of catering for significant numbers of people, you may have to consider the Health and Safety regulations as regards people working there when its up and running and site operatives working there during construction.

For the license application, you may need to be an architect to swear your evidence in before the Court.

This is not an exhaustive checklist.
If all this and the rest seems to be a bit beyond you, don't be afraid to pass it on to a more competent and/or experienced person.
Don't let your pride push you into a situation without doing the necessary research and seeing whether you want this job.
There are no prizes for putting people's lives at risk, or incurring large claims for damages.
In that regard, check what your PI cover is and what exclusion may or may not apply.

FWIW

ONQ.