concerns over its running.

Mrs. Wendy Weeks was granted a licence for the New Mount Area Restaurant next to the St. David's Lighthouse.

The restaurant has been open for some time but were applying for permission to be able to sell beer and wine.

Police had expressed concerns over the application after they had been told that Mrs. Weeks' husband, Mr. Tyrone Weeks, was to co-manage the premises.

Inspector Roger Brydon said: "The Police accepted that Mrs. Weeks is of good character, and have no objections to her as the applicant.

"From Police inquiries, however, they have stated that should the licence be granted, Mr. Tyrone Weeks would be taken on as a co-manager with equal duties at the premises. There are concerns about that.'' Senior Magistrate the Wor. will Francis said: "It is the Police's duty to inquire into the background of every place and into what is proposed when it opens.'' He said that the premises would be open more than eight hours a day so Mrs.

Weeks would not be solely responsible for its running and that Police had objections to Mr. Weeks as an applicant in the past.

Mr. Francis said: "The Police are simply saying that if Mr. Weeks is to be in any sort of control they want to express concerns.'' Mr. Bailey said: "The application expressly states that the applicant is Wendy Weeks and she will manage the place, but no doubt she will have to have staff.

"I see no rules where staff members in any licensed premises have to be vetted by the panel. If that was the case many bars would not be able to open.'' Mr. Bailey said that many Bermudian bartenders would be out of work if Police objected to their working in bars.

Insp. Brydon said: "We feel that Mr. Weeks will be holding a position as co-manager and not just a member of staff.'' Granting the licence Mr. Francis said: "Mrs. Weeks has heard the concerns expressed by the Police. I am sure she will take note of them. I am sure she has noticed this panel is concerned with any premises that operates at night.'' Mr. Bailey asked that members of the panel visit the New Mount Area Restaurant to see the "vast improvement'' and the amount of time and money that had been spent on the premises. He said: "No-one would have gone to so much trouble to beautify the place unless they were serious.'' Mr. Francis agreed that the restaurant, if run correctly, could be an asset to a beautiful area of the Island, catering to both locals and visitors.