A ‘SPEAKEASY’ cocktail bar on a quiet street has been given the go-ahead to sell alcohol.

Ross Hardie applied to East Lothian Council last year for occasional licences to operate The Cat’s Pyjamas.

The local authority’s licensing board turned down the applications for the business, on Belhaven’s Brewery Lane, on the grounds of public safety.

However, two new occasional licences have now been granted, while retrospective planning permission is being sought to turn the building into an office and bar.

Plans with East Lothian Council note that the office would be in use between 9am and 5pm throughout the working week, with plans for a pop-up speakeasy-style bar between 5pm and 1am Friday and Saturday, and noon and 10pm on a Sunday.

According to The Cat’s Pyjamas’ Facebook page: “The Cat’s Pyjamas has finally been given a licence, on an occasional basis whilst the full premises licence is processed, and will be serving alcohol from February 28, when we relaunch the coolest bar in East Lothian!

“We’ve created a super cool joint with four stunning spaces for our guests to enjoy an extensive cocktail menu, Martinis, Champagne and Prosecco, Scotch, gin, premium spirits, fine wines and craft beers in gorgeous surroundings to the coolest tunes, and we’re looking for a number of bar staff to help them enjoy a great evening.”

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council said two occasional licences had been granted, with no objections from members of the public.

The occasional licences covered last weekend, as well as this weekend (Friday to Sunday).

Last year, when the occasional licence bid came before the licensing committee, members heard about Mr Hardie’s plans.

A post on social media said: “It’s a totally unexpected venue, which is exactly what a speakeasy should be – with a capacity of around 50 seated plus plenty of room for standing – and never in a million years looks like a bar from the outside.”

Concerns were raised by members of the public that the new venue, on the same street as Belhaven Brewery, would create additional traffic problems.