Supermarket in area with serious booze problem can now sell alcohol

Kultar Deol's Merridale supermarket, in Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, will now be able to sell booze despite concerns over drinking problems in the area. Its Graiseley ward has the highest number of alcohol-related deaths in the city.

This is the second time Mr Deol has applied for a licence for the supermarket in Clifton House - the old Charles Clark car dealership.

Last month, his application was rejected overwhelmingly after police and Wolverhampton council's licensing team raised concerns over the sale of single cans, the shop's opening hours, and the concept of 'late night refreshment'.

But, after Mr Deol agreed not to sell single cans above 6.5 per cent, decided on opening hours of 9am until 11pm and withdrew the 'late night' concept, both sides offered no objections to the latest application.

Sergeant Jake Flanagan, the lead for Wolverhampton police's licensing team, said: "The issues around single cans, late night refreshment and opening hours have been addressed. Therefore we cannot object on the same grounds."

Representing Mr Deol, his lawyer William Dudley said: "The applicant wants to offer a full service from the supermarket so residents can complete their full shop there.

"He is not interested in a quid here or there from a can of cider for a problem drinker.

"It's entirely in his interest to promote regeneration of the area. Drunks outside his shop will put off customers."

Many residents had voiced their concerns over the potential granting of the licence because of anti-social behaviour in the area, and they were represented by Councillor Craig Collingswood at the licensing sub-committee meeting on Thursday.

He said: "I am here as a local councillor and because people have contacted me with concerns about the licence application.

"I regularly get reports that Wolverhampton has an alcohol problem so are we really doing the public a good service if we grant another licence?

"I can't see how this licence will do anything for anti-social-behaviour except increase it.

"There is nothing to be gained by granting another licence, it can only make the situation worse.

"Do you want to be bringing your kids up in this kind of area?"

After the meeting he said he was 'disappointed' that the application was approved.

Granting the licence, councillor Alan Bolshaw, the chair of Wolverhampton's licensing committee, said: "The decision of the committee is to grant the licence as applied for.

"There has been universal agreement that the development is great for the area.

"We recognise the problems in the area and these deserve a wider forum."