Residents fear opening hours of St Peter's Street store

Previously, applicant Kantharupan Rasu requested permission for a licence to sell alcohol for the premises at 97 St Peter's Street.

The new shop, named St Peter's Convenience Store, is set to move into the unit formerly occupied by Anastasia.

The premises is currently unlicenced, with the applicant aiming to supply alcohol off the premises from 6am until 2am Monday to Sunday - alongside matching opening hours.

This application was called-in to a meeting of the district council's Licensing Sub Committee on Friday, March 27, for discussion.

Daniel Pattenden, the council's Environmental Health manager (Licensing), set out the pre-meeting report highlighting that there were no objections from all responsible authorities however, 19 representations were submitted by public consultees.

Many objectors did not reject a shop being opened but made representations against the "unreasonable" opening hours.

The building targeted for a new convenience store. (Image: Google Street View)

The applicant's case

An agent spoke on behalf of the applicant, presenting their justification for the sale of alcohol and the opening hours.

He said the owner shared the community's concerns, particularly as he was soon to be moving in, and had more than 10 years of previous experience operating licenced premises.

The agent argued it was a "commercial area in the city centre" rather than a residential one.

"The opening hours are appropriate considering the area," he commented.

"It is not densely-populated and that is an important fact to consider."

The agent understood the concerns of public representations but suggested these were "all existing problems" that were "nothing to do" with their premises.

"We have a noise management plan," they added.

"The applicant will be really working with the community."

According to the agent, the store's owner will walk around the nearby churchyard to check for litter, which several written representations highlighted as a hotspot for rubbish, particularly alcohol.

Concerns of the community

Objectors were offered the opportunity to present their concerns and ask questions of the applicant, reflecting written representations from the public consultation period.

One neighbour, Fiona Webster, argued: "This has all felt like a very selective representation of the situation, how can the owner prevent people from leaving the shop at 2am and sitting in the park drinking all night?"

She also took umbrage with the fact the agent was suggesting it was "not a residential area".

Fiona commented: "We are rightfully concerned as residents that after other premises have closed, people go to this premises, purchase alcohol and hang around outside, leading to an increase in anti-social behaviour."

Meanwhile, a frequent litter picker at St Peter's Churchyard said she has seen "drunken" people "defecating and urinating" in the area and in nearby residential gardens, which may become more frequent if there is another option to purchase alcohol.

"Will the applicant come litter picking with me every Tuesday, and remove the broken glass, crisp packets etc...?" She questioned.

Pattenden reminded objectors that other instances of public nuisance were not applicable to this licence.

"While I completely sympathise with the residents in terms of the area's issues, we cannot impose conditions in relation to anything that is beyond the direct management of the premises," he reminded.

When asked how deliveries were going to be made, the applicant Kantharupan Rasu said a "small van" would be providing produce for the shop outside the front. These would take place between 10am and 6pm.

Another neighbour, Liz Blossom, raised concerns about deliveries as zig zag lines are directly outside its frontage. She suggested this was a "safety problem" and had been an issue with the previous restaurant.

"This could create a more fearful place, people walking home from the centre may have to walk past this shop and there may be more threatening individuals," Liz concluded.

"There's undoubtedly an increased risk of public nuisance and crime and disorder with the granting of a 20-hour licence seven days a week."

The two nearest convenience stores are City Food and Wine on Catherine Street which opens until midnight and Dulce News on St Peter's Street which operates until 2am.

This sparked debate in the discussion as objectors believed these were relevant however Pattenden informed them the Licensing Act means every case must be treated individually.

The sale of alcohol was a point of contention. (Image: Newsquest)

The recommended conditions

The applicant, in discussion with licensing and the police, has offered the below conditions as part of their application:

• A CCTV system comprised of a multi camera system must also be installed at the premises made available in reasonable time on demand by the police or authorised officers of the Licensing Authority.
• This is accompanied by a refusals and incident log that shall be maintained for at least 12 months, detailing any crime and disorder that occurs at the premises. The log includes seizures of drugs, weapons, fraudulent IDs and ejections from the premises, among many other details.
• All staff involved in licensable activity shall receive training relating to age verification, the licensing objectives and laws relating to the sale of alcohol.
• Notices shall be prominently displayed at all exits requesting patrons to respect the needs of local residents and leave the area quietly.
• The premises must enforce the challenge 25 policy with notices advertising this and there shall be no self service of spirits on the premises.

Concluding the meeting, the agent said: "There is no evidence that granting the licence for this premises will increase the existing issues.

"There will be two staff on Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 2am to help manage the premises."