Rudy's Bistro in the Walker Arcade applied last week for an extension of its beer and wine licence which would allow liquor to be served in the courtyard as well as inside the restaurant.

But Police and the Liquor Licensing Authority's main concern was that the courtyard was in the middle of a public thoroughfare -- people can pass from Front to Reid Streets via the arcade.

But lawyer for restaurateur Mr. Rudy Geinenger argued his client had agreed to restrict the extended licence to the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. when the Reid Street gate was normally closed for the day.

Mr. Kim White said his client had agreed not to sell liquor between those times -- or during any time when both gates were open, for instance during late night shopping on Wednesdays and at Christmas when it was too cold to sit outside anyway.

Mr. White told the Authority the Bistro's plan had been fully advertised in local newspapers.

Authority member Mrs. Catherine Trerice said another concern was the courtyard was still a public place.

Mr. White replied that the Authority would then have to withdraw the licences of other restaurants with outdoor eating such as Swizzle Inn. And he added the building was, in fact, private property.

Authority chairman the Wor. Will Francis, saying the application to serve liquor in a public courtyard was "something new'', adjourned the case saying a decision would be made next week.

In other late central division applications, the Robin Hood pub and restaurant had its full liquor licence renewed but not before representative for neighbours of the Richmond Road pub Mr. Ian Fox raised another concern.

He did not think the owners and managers were taking the no-loud-music-after-10.30 p.m. rule seriously.

Robin Hood was allowed to serve liquor provided it had only a single entertainer or background music after 10.30 p.m.

Mr. Fox showed adverts for 9 p.m.-1 a.m. discos to the Authority.

But general manager Mr. Paul Harris said the adverts were misleading. He admitted the pub was "guilty of using poetic licence''. He assured the Authority and Mr. Fox the pub was aware of the restrictions and followed them diligently.

Mr. Francis, saying the pub better notify the residents when it was placing "tongue in cheek ads'' as a marketing tool, then renewed the pub's licence.