A new manager who wants to reopen a late night off licence which neighbours said was a magnet for antisocial behaviour has been told it’s unlikely to be allowed to open until 3am.
International Food and Wine closed in April last year after its licence was revoked for selling illegal booze, out of date food and failing underage selling stings.
New manager Rany Dahwch already runs Booze Corner in Lewes Road, which has a 5am licence, and told the panel he took over the lease of the Preston Road shop after being offered it by his Lewes Road landlord, who owns both buildings.
Mr Dahwch also runs the Premier branded Western Road convenience store in Hove and said he intended on rebranding the new store in the same way.
However, he assumed he would be able to sell alcohol for the same times and was surprised when a licensing panel today told him a closing time of 11pm is more suitable.
Mr Dahwch was criticised by Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council licensing officers for not consulting either body ahead of his application.
He applied to sell alcohol from 7am-3am and included basic outlines for Challenge 25 sales policies and CCTV.
Representing Sussex Police licensing officer Hannah Staplehurst asked why there were no details of restrictions on higher alcohol beers and ciders, or selling single cans.
Mr Dahwich told the panel he did not realise he could consult with the police or licensing beforehand and assumed he could run the shop with the same opening hours as his other businesses.
He said: “I didn’t feel I had to mention higher alcohol beers because you shouldn’t be selling it.
“Having CCTV for 24 hours I didn’t think it needed to be specific as it is basic.”
He told the panel he was not familiar with the area so was not aware of the high concentration of off-licences or concerns about alcohol-related crime.
The panel, chaired by Councillor Jackie O’Quinn with Councillor Adrian Morris and Councillor Amanda Knight, heard how Mr Dahwich was asked if he would like to take on the business as the landlord at Booze Corner also owns this building.
He told the panel he was not aware of the reasons why it closed.
During discussions it was suggested alcohol sales were restricted from 10am-11pm in keeping with city council licensing policy.
Councillor O’Quinn who chairs the licensing committee said: “Some businesses have licenses we would not give now.
“You might have a late licence in your other shops as people hold on to them because they will never get anything like this again.”
Rather than reapply and consult with the council and police, the panel was adjourned for three weeks for Mr Dahwch to consult with the relevant authorities.
