Developers planning to build a new “family friendly” pub in the old Astwood Dickinson property in Hamilton have been granted a provisional licence to sell alcoholic drinks.

George Heracleous, from Zorba Ltd, told the Liquor Licensing Authority that he hoped the new restaurant on Front Street would be open by the beginning of 2017.

He said that renovations of the property, next to Port O’ Call, which is also run by Zorba, would have a capacity of about 50 people.

Asked by LLA chairman Juan Wolffe why the property should be given a licence given the number of bars on Front Street, Mr Heracleous said: “We have enough bars and sports bars on Front Street. We don’t want to get into that market. We are restaurant people, not bar people.”

Mr Heracleous said the developers had no plans to expand the pub into a nightclub in the evening.

“We would serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, nothing later than that,” he added.

Mr Wolffe quizzed the developer on whether any security measures would be in place outside the new pub and concluded by saying: “We don’t want Front Street turning into Bourbon Street.”

Mr Heracleous responded: “Nor do I.”

At the end of the hearing, the LLA granted Mr Heracleous a provisional liquor licence that will expire on January 31, 2017.