GARDEN centre bosses are seeking permission to start serving alcohol.

Special events could soon take place among the pot plant and garden tools at Ellie's Hill Foot Garden Centre in Ulverston.

Town council bosses heard that ‘Ellie's Food Hut,’ located within the garden centre off the A590 had applied for a premises licence.

The town council had no objections to the application, which now goes up to district level, where South Lakeland District Council (SLDC), will make the final decision.

Jamie Thorp, manager and part-owner, of Ellie's Food Hut, said: “Fingers crossed, because we have some big plans as we come out of lockdown, to hold some quite exciting events here.

“These will be evening events and the granting of the application will allow us to serve alcohol at the garden centre location.

“We will make announcements once restrictions are lifted.”

At a meeting of Ulverston Town Council, Cllr Mark Wilson, who represents East Ward for Labour in Ulverston, was in favour of the application.

He said: “This is a family firm wanting to run a business in these difficult times and we should support them, so I’m all in favour of this licence application.”

The town council unanimously supported the proposal, which will now go up to SLDC, to be presented at their licensing subcommittee on July 6.

During lockdown, garden centres were one of the only areas of the economy still open in south Cumbria.

Businesses, organisations, and individuals who want to sell or supply alcohol in England and Wales must have a licence or other authorisation from a licensing authority - usually a local council. The law and policy governing this area is overseen by the Home Office.

The advice on the government website says: “All businesses and organisations that undertake licensable activities on a permanent basis, must have a premises licence from their local authority.”

Other ways businesses can diversify according to the government is ‘temporary licences,’ which can include putting on ‘special entertainment events.’