A STIFF drink has provoked suitably stiff opposition in one of York's quieter quarters.

The prospect of a vodka bar has upset residents and other businesses in Back Swinegate, who fear such as establishment could attract undesirable custom.

While it is proper that every new bar should be scrutinised, it is hard to know exactly why the proposed Revolution vodka bar has caused such a fuss.

Those who live and work in the area, which has latterly advertised itself as The Quarter, feel the bar will upset the balance of this caf quarter, and they raised a 100-strong petition to make their point.

This is certainly one of York's lovely hidden corners, tucked just away from the busy thoroughfares. But a vodka bar need not necessarily detract from the charms of Back Swinegate.

There has long been a tradition of opposition to in-coming bars, as witnessed by the struggle JP Wetherspoon had to gain a foothold in York. Now that chain is successfully running two pubs in the city.

After an all-day hearing yesterday, licensing justices at York Magistrates' Court gave Inventive Leisure PLC permission to open a bar in Back Swinegate. This will clearly disappoint the objectors, who had strongly held opinions on why such a bar would be detrimental to the area.

Yet it is difficult not to wish the new venture well. York does not, as far as we know, have a vodka bar. Such a new bar, if properly run and managed, should add to the city's already interesting night-life.

While the Revolution bar does specialise in hard spirits, such drinks are readily available in other pubs and clubs, so it would have been unfair to block the new bar.

The vodka bar will need to be scrutinised, along with all other licensed premises.

As illustrated tonight by Rumours bar in Micklegate being told to tone down its garish sign, there are times when pubs and bars need to be told that aspects of their behaviour are unsuitable.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, August 08, 2003