A CITY centre wine bar has won its battle to open earlier – so outdoor drinkers can gain extra shelter from the weather.

York’s licensing chiefs have given the owners of Plonkers, in Cumberland Street, permission to start serving alcohol from 10am to bring its serving times into line with its riverside café.

Until now, customers wanting alcoholic drinks have had to drink outside until the wine bar opened at 11am – meaning that, if the weather turned nasty before then, they could not take cover inside, because of licensing regulations.

The changes will mean Plonkers will be able to cater for family events such as Christenings and weddings, which traditionally start earlier in the day, without having to apply for a special events status, and, like an off-licence, people will be able to buy a bottle of wine and take it home with them. Co-owners Malcolm and Eileen Goodwin and their daughter, Leann Williams, have won approval from City of York Council’s licensing committee to alter their opening hours after allaying concerns raised by one Cumberland Street resident.

The changes mean the wine bar is able to serve alcohol from 10am to 2am seven days a week if its owners choose, as well as being able to sell alcohol to be taken away.

“We just wanted to bring our opening times in line and we’re very pleased with the committee’s decision,” said Mr Goodwin, who has been involved in running Plonkers for the last 18 years.

“Because previous regulations meant we could not put umbrellas up on the tables of the outside drinking area, it meant that customers using it could not come inside with their drinks if it started raining.

“The riverside café has proved very popular, but this was a concern which we wanted to address and we are also pleased that we are now able to open between the same times right across the board, rather than having different opening times on a Sunday, and to cater for people who want to take a bottle of wine away from them.”

North Yorkshire Police had originally made representations to the licensing committee over potential crime, disorder, public safety and nuisance issues, but withdrew this after Plonkers’ bosses assured them of CCTV coverage at all times.

Coun James Alexander, chairman of the licensing committee, said: “The licence application appears to be so they can cater for more christenings, weddings and family functions without having to apply for special event status, which may not be granted.

“The new arrangements will mean that, if there is bad weather, diners eating outside can bring their food and alcohol inside. The previous arrangements would not have allowed for this at certain times. It also means people will be able to buy a bottle of wine from Plonkers and take it home.”