A BUSINESSMAN hopes to open a tapas bar in Golcar later this summer.

Chris Townend was yesterday given approval for a premises licence for the venue at 117, Town End.

It means the end of a long-fought bid to open the Golcar tapas and wine bar.

Plans for the tapas and wine bar got underway in 2010 when Mr Townend was given the approval of the Planning Inspectorate to open a restaurant at the former heating engineers.

After Kirklees councillors backed him yesterday he said: “I hope it will be open in six to eight weeks.

“There’s a bit of work to finish and I need to take on a chef and organise staff, but I hope it will be open soon.”

Mr Townend, of Scapegoat Hill, appeared before Kirklees Licensing Panel members – Clrs Mumtaz Hussain, Phil Scott and Christine Smith.

He told them: “My vision is to have a small establishment where members of the Golcar community and further afield will come to enjoy some good food.

“My application to sell alcohol is to make sure customers have a full dining experience.”

His restaurant will seat up to nine customers downstairs and up to 35 upstairs.

Mr Townend, a builder by trade, is involved in the Golcar Winkle Club, the Allotment Society and Golcar JIN School. He said he hoped his venue could be used to support those organisations.

Six people objected to the application for a premises licence and while none attended the meeting their representations were seen by councillors.

Lisa Farrand, who spoke on behalf of Mr Townend, said no-one objected when the adjoining Co-op sought to sell alcohol from 6am.

And Mr Townend allayed councillor’s queries about a designated manager, saying one would be employed once he knew what their licence permitted.

The application was permitted with the usual conditions set by police about CCTV, a notice asking customers to leave quietly and that Mr Townend gives his details to neighbours if noise problems arise.