Irvine Winton bowlers will be able to enjoy drinks close to the action after licensing chiefs gave their plans for a licence variation the go ahead on Monday, June 26.

North Ayrshire licensing board considered an application to extend the outdoor drinking area already permitted in front of the clubhouse. 

The proposal was to expand the area where alcohol can be consumed to include the area in front of the clubhouse and the seating areas around the bowling green. 

This would mean it covered three sides of the bowling green and also the patio beside the East Road clubhouse.

There were no structural alterations proposed or a proposal to increase the number of users of the club, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016.

Rae Beattie, bar convener, said: “We are looking to extend the drinking area outside and if we are playing a friendly game we could take our drinks up the side of the green. 

“This would mean our members and friends could have drinks on a good day up the side of the green.”

The board said there were no grounds for refusal.

A motion to go ahead with the plans was proposed by councillor Donald L Reid and agreed by the committee.