The police and council have objected to an application for a drinks licence by a post office and convenience store.
Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council licensing team as well as a neighbouring business have objected to Hove Stores Limited’s application for off-sales from 30 Church Road, Hove.
The application for alcohol sales from 8am to 11pm from Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 7pm on Sundays is due to go before a panel of three councillors on Thursday 30 October.
The designated premises supervisor, David Isaac, 51, who would have overall responsibility for alcohol sales, has committed to having “sufficient, competent staff” on duty to prevent crime and disorder and to ensure all are trained in alcohol sales.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are already installed at the business, with cameras taking full-frame shots of people entering the premises.
An anonymous neighbouring business owner, whose details were redacted by the council, raised concerns about the business’s size, anti-social behaviour and street drinking in Church Road.
The objector said: “The vicinity already faces challenges with public drunkenness and petty crime and allowing alcohol sales from these premises may exacerbate these issues, particularly if sales extend into the evening.
“There is also concern about the ability of the store to effectively manage age-restricted sales, especially given the busy nature of post office operations, which may divert attention from rigorous ID checks.”
The Sussex Police licensing team for Brighton and Hove raised concerns that the applicant had not mentioned that Church Road is in an area where there are restrictions on new off-licences unless there are exceptional circumstances.
The restrictions were brought in because of the large number of businesses selling alcohol and concerns about anti-social behaviour.
The force said: “The applicant did not pre-consult with Sussex Police and we do not believe they offer any unique reasons why their application would be an exception to policy.
“They do not make mention of the Brighton and Hove City Council special policy … and it is not felt that anything they have provided fully addresses the local concerns or shows that they have paid special attention to their operating schedule.”
Council licensing officer Emma Grant said that the business was in the council’s “special stress area” which should have no new off-licences unless the business can show exceptional reasons to justify departing from the policy.
The online licensing panel hearing is due to take place at 10am on Thursday 30 October and is scheduled to be webcast.
I’m loving the new minimalist reportage: a headline and a photograph! Do we have to guess the rest of the story?
I’m not sure what happened – almost certainly human error (by me) – but it should be there now. “Guess the story” sounds like a good competition idea!
Why have a licensing committee empanelled to decide on this? The applicant should be made to pay the expenses or withdraw their submission.
This is getting idiotic, how about the “sole traders” washing cars at Tescos car parks can they sell booze as well. ??? just in case someone needs a drink on the way home,, or how about them that sleep in the same bus shelter every night or those that occupy a regular street corner don’t they deserve a booze licence too. ???
They will get the licence. All other previous cases in the argus has been approved even though it was considered to be in a area of concern by police . It did not matter that Applicants wanted licence in areas police already said too many licences were granted.
Some locations given permission even though crime rate is high with streets that are run down.