Former Jamie’s Italian refused a licence.

London based company Nemabil Ltd wanted to open a bar called The Toy Shop in the premises previously occupied by an Italian restaurant in Black Lion Street but Sussex Police and the City Council strongly opposed the application. The owners of the nearby Cricketers pub also objected.

They tried to justify the application citing the exceptional circumstance of attracting professional women over the age of 30 who would be unlikely to cause problems. But the council’s licensing panel could see no exceptional circumstances to justify granting a licence.

Despite already operating a venue in Putney the directors submitted a licensing application that was at odds with Brighton and Hove’s licensing policy. Something of a schoolboy error.

Furthermore, the panel criticised Nemabil Ltd for failing to “engage” with the city centre “cumulative impact” policy. For the time being the venue remains empty.