A new Jamaican restaurant is due to open at Bristol’s Harbourside later this summer. Jamaya will open on Millenium Promenade, with a target opening date of late August, after receiving a premises licence from Bristol City Council, in a licensing hearing on Thursday, April 18.
Two Jamaya restaurants have long been open in Birmingham, and now a third will open in Bristol at the Harbourside, on the former site of Sprinkles Gelato. A few neighbours living nearby had raised concerns about noise, as the area around Millennium Promenade has changed in recent years.
The restaurant will close at 11.30pm on most days, and 10.30pm on Sundays. No customers will be allowed outside after 10pm. Customers will not be allowed to use the small bar in the restaurant just for a drink, without agreeing to later order a meal.
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Graham Hopkins, a licensing consultant representing the applicants, said: “They have already got two Jamaya restaurants in Birmingham, one right in the centre. They’ve had no issues nor complaints from the police. There’s another one in Solihull, which again has had no complaints.
“We have addressed the concerns of residents. We don’t want to cause any disturbance. People will be going there with family, friends or work colleagues to have a meal and enjoy a quiet drink together.”
No representations were made by Avon and Somerset Police, who frequently raise concerns about new venues selling alcohol, due to a perceived link with crime and anti-social behaviour. 10 local residents made representations in writing, but none attended the hearing to speak.
The restaurant is located within the cumulative impact area, meaning applicants must show they won’t add to problems with crime and disorder. Earlier this year, the council controversially extended its cumulative impact policy, despite objections from some Labour councillors.
