A GUEST house in Galashiels has been given a drinks licence to allow its owner to run a gourmet cooking school and host fine dining evenings.

On Friday, Scottish Borders Licensing Board unanimously granted an amended application from Peter and Silke Gruber who run Maplehurst in Abbotsford Road.

Henceforth, they will be permitted to sell alcohol from 11am till midnight on weekdays and until 1am on Friday and Saturday – but only from within the premises.

As reported in these columns last week, the police and licensing standards officer Ian Tunnah had expressed reservations about the inclusion of a large area of garden ground to the east of the Edwardian house - suitable for the erection of marquee - in the couple’s original application.

Mr Tunnah claimed noise from live and recorded music could give rise to complaints from neighbours and urged the board to insist that an occasional licence should be applied for to cover such external events.

A late objection was also received from Carol Murray and William Elliot of neighbouring Binniemyre Guest House, citing “noise level in residential area” and “insufficient parking”.

But Mr Gruber told the board he was happy to remove the garden ground from his operating plan.

“I never envisaged the marquee being erected more than twice a year and only if there was demand for it for larger functions,” said Mr Gruber. “I am happy to apply for a special licence if that demand ever materialises.” Explaining the diversification of his business, Mr Gruber told councillors: “I am a trained chef with an ambition to host fine dining and a cooking academy, along with catering for small parties of up to 12 people in our house.

“It will certainly not be a pub or a restaurant open to the general public, but I would like to offer guests and academy students the chance of a glass of wine or beer with a meal.

“I hope to educate them about wine which can then be purchased.” Noting the removal of the lawn area from the licensing footprint, the board unanimously approved the application, with Councillor Bill Herd observing: “I like the idea of fine dining in Galashiels.”