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Three minutes to approve alcohol licence for South Bank hotel aimed at Teesworks contractors

The Commercial's bar was described as a 'necessary evil' for engineers and workers to wind down at the hotel, which will accommodate up to 84 people

[The Commercial, South Bank]

The Commercial, South Bank(Image: Daniel Hodgson)

It took just three minutes for a hotel touted as a "workers' hub" for Teesworks contractors to gain an alcohol licence.

The Commercial on Middlesbrough Road, South Bank has been described as a comfortable hotel for people working at Teesworks and the freeport. It is expected to employ about 13 people in a first wave of jobs, with 42 rooms accommodating up to 84 people.

First it had to win the trust of Redcar and Cleveland Council's regulatory committee, which decided whether or not to grant a licence for alcohol sales and music from 11am to 11pm. Councillors heard the hotel's bar and restaurant described as a "necessary evil" for guests to relax and enjoy food and drink after work.

Applicant Chris Hankinson said yesterday (August 18): "The whole purpose of the alcohol licence isn't some sort of big business money-making scheme that we're doing. It's just a necessary part of the hotel.

"It's just going to be there for guests, either working at the port or at Teesworks because there's so much demand. It's just a necessary evil, if you like, having somewhere guests can unwind afterwards and escape the four walls of a room, relax and have some food."

He said it would not be signposted as a pub: "It's a hotel that's going to have a bar and restaurant for customers only. We most certainly aren't going to be posting on social media drink offers or anything like that."

He said the rooms were "designed for comfort" with en suites, media walls, large beds and good-quality furniture. The hotel would be marketed solely to contractors and corporate travel, with demand expected from contractors in skilled and niche roles.

'They want it on their doorstep'

Mr Hankinson said: "Where it's located is directly opposite the freeport. It's the closest hotel in the area to Teesworks and to the port.

"We're hoping to have the likes of BP and other big companies coming into the area. It's very much geared to being a workers' hub.

"They want it on their doorstep. I really firmly believe the hotel is going to be a huge success and it should fill straight away with the amount of companies coming in.

"We are aiming to open the hotel as soon as we can. We haven't got any employees as of yet but we are pro-actively trying to recruit now and get positions filled... We're very close to getting it open.

Objections 'completely fabricated'

"We're going to make sure we've got good food options in for them. We want it to be a safe, comfortable environment where they can enjoy some food."

He said two objections which raised crime-related concerns were "completely fabricated". He added: "I don't see anti-social behaviour becoming an issue.

"I myself am the only director of the company. I've been supported by the police. I don't have any sort of criminal history.

"I've just got the lease on the building. It's my business, there's nobody else that's going to be associated with this."

[Councillor Stuart Smith]

Councillor Stuart Smith(Image: Redcar and Cleveland Council)

He said all areas of the hotel, including the bar and rooms, would be protected by digital smart locks, gates and 24-hour security, with other people only allowed into the hotel for business purposes: "There's CCTV but there'll always be somebody on site.

"The last thing we want to do is having people who are trying to get their heads down after a day's work being disturbed by anybody that's being inconsiderate or acting untoward. It would mean we'd end up losing contracts, we'd very quickly establish a bad reputation."

He said they would employ an experienced hotel manager, assistant manager, bar manager, kitchen manager and kitchen assistant, and was working with business consultants: "It is the first hotel I'll be involved with. However I have got previous experience with holidaay lets and holiday accommodation, things like Airbnb apartments.

"We're aren't entering this naively and looking to cut any corners."

After three minutes' deliberation, committee chair Councillor Stuart Smith announced their decision to grant the licence: "We're more than happy with explanations and we believe that you will, and you must, comply with the conditions and objectives."

Mr Hankinson replied: "I'm a responsible individual. I will make sure we adhere to them."

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