A GOUROCK bar has been given extended opening hours by Inverclyde Licensing Board.

The Cardwell Inn will now be able to start selling alcohol in the bar and through off-sales from 11am on Sunday, instead of 12.30pm.

The premises will also be allowed to open from 8am every day to sell breakfasts, teas and coffees, but no alcohol can be provided until 11am.

The board heard that no objections had been made, and that the application was within licensing policy.

Club or other group meetings will be added to activities that can be held on the premises during and outwith licensing hours.

All activities must stop 15 minutes after the closure times for selling alcohol, which are midnight from Sunday to Wednesday and 1am on Thursday to Saturday.

Board chairman, Councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld, proposed that the changes to the licence should be granted, and this was approved unanimously by members.

The board meanwhile also heard that all drink licence holders are now paying their annual fee to the council, instead of some of them having to be pursued for the money.

Fees vary, depending on the size of the premises and the number of licence holders who have not paid up has dropped from 20 five years ago to zero.

Cllr Ahlfeld said ‘significant progress’ had been made in the payment of fees.

He said: “The message has been given that, if you wish to have licensed premises, you must pay the fee.”

The councillor said a major factor in the improvement was an annual forum involving the board, Police Scotland and licence holders.

He said: “Seminars have resulted in greater co-operation between the police and licensed trade.

“Licence holders recognise it is their responsibility to pay their annual fee.

“The situation has improved dramatically.”