Longer licensing hours approved for Seaham's Flanders cafe-bar

Bosses at Flanders applied to extend alcohol sales up to 11pm Sunday – Thursday, and 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

The application had been due to go before Durham County Council’s Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee for consideration on July 31, following objections from police, environmental health officers and a member of the public.

But after all three objections were formally withdrawn the amended licence was given the green light without having to go before the panel.

The approval means the bar, in North Terrace, will be allowed to serve alcohol for an extra four-and-a-half hours, across the whole week.

It also increases its permitted opening hours to 8am – 11pm Sunday – Thursday and 8am – 11.30pm Friday and Saturday, as well as extending the hours during which music can be played.

A greater extension was originally requested, but was amended by the applicant.

Representations opposing the plans were withdrawn ‘following mediation’, according to a report for councillors.

The Echo reported in April how ex-Para Andrew Harrison and former military catering chef Chris O’Connor had to put their new cafe project on hold due to coronavirus restrictions, just two days after Flanders was launched on Seaham’s seafront.

The team instead began using the kitchen of Flanders and facilities at the Sea Cadet base a few doors down from their North Terrace business to turn out hot meals in the hope of keeping people fed as they self-isolated.

Dubbed ‘Operation Flanders’, with the help of suppliers, they offered cost-price meals for delivery, and set up food bank drop-off and collection point, with a shelter giving NHS and emergency service staff a place to stop off, rest and grab a hot drink.

The cafe-bar is now reopen and is among a number of establishments in Seaham taking part in the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, offering 50% discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks to customers dining in Monday to Wednesday.

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