Controversial plans by the restaurant chain Five Guys to allow alcoholic drinks to be consumed outside have been blocked.
The US-based firm will open its first Dundee store on Monday having already gained planning permission to operate from the Overgate.
But is has been forced to back down on proposals to extend an alcohol licence to an external seating area on the south side of the shopping centre.
Despite claims that alcohol was responsible for less than 1% of the restaurant’s sales, Dundee City Council’s licensing board ruled against allowing diners access to alcohol in the external seating area due to public drinking fears.
Maryfield councillor Georgina Cruickshank said: “Nothing I have heard today convinces me that this is workable.”
It comes as plans to create an external drinking area at Dundee University Students’ Union (Dusa) were approved.
Dusa applied to Dundee City Council’s licensing board to allow up to 200 students to drink as they queued if the venue’s main nightclub become too busy.
But police insisted that problems relating to noise pollution and health and safety would likely arise if the development was to go ahead.
Sergeant Iain Bethway told councillors the force had genuine concerns that the risk of public disorder would increase should the motion be granted as it was unclear if the union had suitable security measures in place to deal with the proposed licence change.
Sgt Bethway said: “This proposal would allow patrons to consume alcohol in a queuing area. There are no other nightclubs in Dundee with external licenced areas.
“There is no mention of door staff or CCTV. The health and safety risks and noise pollution involved outweigh any benefits.”
However, Dusa president Tim Hustler said that the external drinking area would enhance the overall experience for students.
He said: “We have won awards in the past for being the safest nightclub in Dundee and have a great working relationship with the police.”
The licensing board approved the extended licence on the basis that students were only allowed to take one drink outside at a time.