Le Chateau in Great Yarmouth gets late alcohol licence

Harsha Wijesinghe and her partner Sriharan Paramanantham are now permitted to serve alcohol until as late as 2am at Le Chateau, on Northgate Road in Great Yarmouth.

They had to overcome public safety and crime and disorder concerns raised at the licencing hearing, held at the Town Hall in Great Yarmouth, from the councillor for the ward Jade Martin.

The couple argued that it was important the licence was granted due to increased competition from nearby businesses, such as the Londis Filling Station which is just a few yards up the road and already has late-night licences.

Sriharan Paramanantham pictured outside of Le Chateau (Image: Bruno Brown)

Mr Paramanantham said that running the business, which he and his partner took on in 2005, had become difficult as they were losing trade to neighbouring shops.

READ MORE: Man, 74, bitten by adder before limping home and trying to sleep it off

"We are happy to have the late-night licence approved, it means we can remain competitive. Lots of other shops in the town have late-night licences now," he said.

"Wre pleased we do too as we want to continue being a recognised and respected business in the area and we are proud to still be going after all these years."

Le Chateau has been operating on Northgate Road for 40 years, and when Mr Paramanantham and his partner took it on 19 years ago, it was the only shop on the road.

READ MORE: Farewell to the Wanger and Snatch as cafe reopens with new name

Now they are competing with fuel stations with 24-hour licences.

Miss Wijesinghe outlined how the BP on Caister Road, Express Store on St Peter's Road, AJ's Store on St Nicholas Road, Nelson Road Food and Wine and Premier on Salisbury Road, all already held licences to serve later than 11 pm.

As part of the licence, there are a series of conditions, such as a CCTV system covering all public areas of the premises.

Le Chateau in Northgate Road, Great Yarmouth (Image: Bruno Brown)