A Norwich company has won its appeal against a council decision to refuse a drinks licence at a listed building in the city.

Thorpe Road-based 100 Degrees North Limited lodged an application for the grant of a premises licence for the former Country and Eastern shop in Redwell Street, which they hope to operate as a wine shop.

But that application was turned down by the council, and the company appealed and yesterday city magistrates granted the appeal.

However, the conditions attached to the licence will not be outlined until a meeting next Tuesday at Norwich magistrates' court. The magistrates' reasons for granting the appeal will be spelled out at the same time.

The premises, which includes a retail shop and basement, will now be permitted to supply alcohol for consumption both on and off the site for tasting purposes, subject to conditions. The applicants want to be able to open and supply alcohol between 8am and 10pm from Monday to Sunday.

A spokesman for Norwich City Council said: 'We feel unable to provide a detailed comment in relation to today's appeal hearing as we must wait until next Tuesday when the magistrates will give their reasons for allowing the appeal. However, the information that gave rise to today's decision was based on information that was not put before the council's licensing sub-committee in January of this year.'

As reported, the controversial plans to sell alcohol from the listed building have attracted a raft of objections.

Plans to turn the building into a bar have twice been turned down by Norwich City Council amid a series of complaints.

Neighbours and businesses have previously objected to the plans and said the shop would be an unwelcome addition to the neighbourhood and added that the inclusion of drinking on the premises would cause huge concern. Julian Foster, chairman of the Central Norwich Citizens' Forum, said he had no objection to it being used as a shop that sells alcohol, but would object to a licence that allowed the applicant to sell alcohol for drinking on the premises.

Do you have plans to restore a building to its former glory? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk