After almost three months of legal wrangling, Frankie’s Restaurant and Bar was granted a conditional liquor licence yesterday. At a hearing in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates Court, Senior Magistrate Annette McKenzie, head of the Licensing Committee for St George West, agreed to grant the licence once several conditions set by the committee were met. The conditions include the removal of an outdoor bar at the venue at the corner of Alberto Street and Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook.
McKenzie also told bar owner Crisanto Horsham bins would have to be placed at strategic locations in and around his property to ensure patrons did not litter the pavement. Horsham must hire two security guards between Thursday and Sunday nights to ensure patrons do not block the sidewalks in front of the bar or block the neighbours’ driveways with their cars. He is also required to raise a wall which encloses his business by two feet.
Horsham agreed and promised to comply fully within three weeks. Members of the committee are expected to visit the bar during the three-week period to ensure the conditions are met. McKenzie adjourned the case to July 11, when the licence is expected to be granted, allowing Horsham to reopen his business. Horsham and three other bar owners in the area applied for the renewal of their licences in March.
The others—Tequila Twist, La Habana and Rossco’s—were recently granted new licences after they agreed to restrictions suggested by nearby residents. Delivering her oral judgment, McKenzie noted that 14 individuals had initially raised objections to the renewal. Among them were Port-of-Spain mayor Louis Lee Sing and Woodbrook councillor Cleveland Garcia. She said: “The committee had to balance Horsham’s legitimate right to earn an income and the residents’ right to the peaceful enjoyment of their properties.”
During a hearing, one resident who lives 450 metres away from Frankie’s, claimed patrons at the bar were blocking residents’ driveways and urinating on their walls nightly. She also claimed the bar was creating unbearable noise late at night and early in the morning. In her judgment, McKenzie noted that some of the complaints could not be directly attributed to Frankie’s and the police did not intervene.
“It is curious to note that the police was not represented in the matter and gave no indication of a willingness to object to the renewal,” McKenzie said. Horsham was represented by Russell Huggins while Robin Montano appeared for the residents.