THE people behind two popular tapas restaurants in York have been granted permission to open a new wine bar, cafe and deli in the city centre.

The owners of Ambiente have won a licence for the old Bicis y Mas building on Walmgate - with a compromise over a rear courtyard.

The company’s Zoe Plummer spoke at a licensing hearing at City of York Council on Monday, when people who live nearby urged councillors not to give an alcohol licence for the yard.

Raymond Price, who lives on St Deny’s Court backing on to the site, said they backed Ambiente’s plans for the building as a whole but believed letting alcohol be served in the yard would harm him and his neighbours as their homes overlook it. Mr Price and eight others had already lodged formal objections, over possible “public nuisance”.

Ms Plummer told the panel of three councillors they would stick to police requirements that only 12 people be allowed in the yard, and went on to offer to close it earlier - at 6pm instead of 8pm - and to only let people buy alcohol in the yard if they are sitting down and also ordering food.

She said: “We are not the kind of premises that encourages people to drink and drink until they fall over. We want people to eat and drink simultaneously in a civilised fashion.”

She said leaving the yard unlicensed would still mean customers could bring their own alcohol, and that without a “satisfactory” licence her company could walk away from the deal.

It plans to open the new venture under the name “The Press Kitchen”, she added.

After the hearing, Mr Price said although the agreed licence had some compromises about times and food service in the rear yard, he and his neighbours were still disappointed with the decision.

He said the new licence is in conflict with planning permission in place for the building from 2015.

Mr Price added: “We will have to seek a review of the planning consent.”