Italian bistro and deli set to open in Ingleby Barwick

Caterer Neal Bullock and business partner Andrew Platts are working to open The Onion Bistro, off Greenside Road, in Ingleby Barwick.

They’re also vying to create the Greedy Soul Deli nearby on the same Lowfields stretch. 

Councillors gave both sites a pass to sell alcohol at a licensing hearing on Tuesday morning.

But not before there were some misgivings shared from residents about trouble near the shops and parking problems. 

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Some letters were sent ahead of the hearing about “traffic gridlock” at school drop off times, claims of drug dealing, and worries about the serving hours of the new ventures. 

The meeting heard how Mr Bullock had hand-delivered letters to residents in the wake of the concerns – with an offer to meet them to address worries.

He added he understood the concerns about young people loitering in the area given he lived nearby – and told residents he’d signed up Close Protection Security for the premises. 

However, Greenside resident Michael Walker shared his objections with the committee – believing the alcohol bid at the deli should be “thrown out”. 

He said: “I’m not against the bistro on the whole. I think it is quite welcome – my objection is down to the alcohol licences. 

“I think the proposals for that building alone (the deli) should be thrown out without consideration. 

“It’s just not a viable option.”

Mr Walker also said there’d been “drug dealing” near the shops before sharing worries about noise. 

When it came to the bistro, Mr Bullock told the panel its target audience was couples and families – adding they would try to ease anti-social behaviour with their own camera system to light up the area.

“Kids generally don’t hang about in places which are lit up,” he added. 

“In terms of the alcohol, it’s ancillary. 

“We’re not an off-licence – it’s there to enjoy a glass of wine with a meal. 

“We’ll have 32 to 34 seats in the restaurant if that – so having people in there drinking and taking up valuable seating just wouldn’t be a good case for us.”

He also explained customers would need to have a meal to get a drink. 

“It’s not going to be a late night drinking den where people can fall out of The Teal and come to the bistro to enjoy more alcohol,” said Mr Bullock. 

The panel also heard the nearby “Greedy Soul Deli” at the former Katie Bee’s florist would sell sliced meats and cheeses while also offering coffees, sandwiches and panini.

Mr Bullock explained they wanted to sell sharing boards in the evening with alcohol as an option. 

The 48-year-old added: “To be able to have a glass of wine with a sharing board or a pasta is essentially all it is. 

“It’s not an off-licence.”

Cameras would also go at the front and back of the deli. 

And the caterer also hoped it would drive more business through the area.

“We aren’t driven by alcohol sales, we’re driven by food sales,” said Mr Bullock.

“It’s a delicatessen where we want the option to sell a glass of wine to somebody if someone wants to come in and have a bit of lunch.”

Ingleby east ward councillors said their concerns were allayed by the reduced serving hours planned at both the bistro and the deli. 

Cllr Sally Ann Watson said:  “We’re satisfied things are in place to mitigate any anti-social behaviour.”

Cllr Ted Strike, independent member for east ward, added: “I think the deli will be a great asset – there are not going to be people going in there purely for drinks.” 

Mr Walker again voiced objections to the licence – and wanted the deli shut by 8pm. 

He added: “Anything past 10pm is ridiculous. It’s too close.”

But Mr Bullock told the panel the licensing hours had been “drastically reduced”. 

He added: “It’s not a drinking den – it’s not going to be loud. 

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“The target audience is mum and dad getting a babysitter and coming out for an early tea. It’s not going to be a party place generating a lot more noise.”

Both applications were eventually approved – with the bistro trading until 9pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and until 9.30pm on Sundays. 

The deli’s hours are set to be from 8am to 8pm from Monday to Wednesday, 8am until 10pm on Thursdays, 8am until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and Sunday 9am until 5pm. 

Chairwoman Cllr Eileen Johnson felt the business – with lighting and cameras – would help the anti-social behaviour situation. 

“It certainly wouldn’t exacerbate what is going on,” she added. 

“We’d just ask you’re open to residents and meetings with the councillors to discuss any problems in future.”

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