IRVINE’S new Wetherspoon’s pub at the Rivergate Centre was granted permission to open an outside drinking area on the pavement - just days ahead of its opening.

In the weeks leading up to its opening yesterday, The Auld Brig was promoted as having “a pavement café style beer garden to the front of the building”, but North Ayrshire’s Licensing Board only approved the idea last Thursday.

At a previous meeting in June, councillors had expressed concern about the potential impact such an area could have on public health, crime and disorder, especially in such a busy part of town. At the same meeting, an application to open a pavement cafe at The Carrick on the High Street was refused.

Councillor Ian Clarkson, in particular, was concerned about the proposed height of a glass barrier, separating the drinking area from people heading into the Rivergate or Asda.

He commented: “It’s a big thing for Wetherspoon’s to open in this area and we would hope that things would be perfect by this time. However, in April we advised that the barrier should be five feet high.

“Now they come back saying they’re not willing to make it five feet high, but only 1.1 metres.” Wetherspoon’s advocate, Mr McIvor, said they were “trying to make it as aesthetically pleasing as possible.” Saltcoats Councillor Ronnie McNicol said: “The one in Saltcoats is well-run, but it does not have an outdoor drinking area like this and it’s not like Irvine. Irvine’s totally different.” After failing to come to an agreement at that time, board members chose to delay a decision till a meeting last Thursday, July 10, when the outside drinking area was approved without discussion.

JD Wetherspoon have spent just over £1.3 million developing The Auld Brig, which is managed by Sean McLoughlin, who was previously at The Salt Cot, in Saltcoats.

Situated between the Rivergate and Asda supermarket, the site is undoubtedly one of the busiest parts of the town, yet the pub owners have argued their proposal for an outside drinking area poses no risk to public order.

Manager Sean McLoughlin said: “Myself and my team are looking forward to welcoming customers into the pub and we are confident that it will be a great addition to the Irvine community.” Children, accompanied by an adult, will be welcome in the pub until 10pm throughout the week. As a condition on the licence, both the adult and child (babies and toddlers excepted) must order a meal by 9pm, if the adult wishes to consume alcohol. Unaccompanied 16-18 year olds are also welcome into the pub for a meal, within the children’s licensing hours.

Photos, local history, artwork by local Scottish artists,including Keith Salmon and Graham McKean, as well as information boards relating to events, historical buildings and characters of the area will be displayed in the pub.