Councillor opposes Walsall town centre off-licence plans
Walsall town centre could be home to another off-licence if it gets permission from Walsall Council’s licensing committee.
Members will meet this week to make a decision on whether to allow the premises at 15 Station Street to operate.
Owner Okbu Store Ltd had hoped to sell alcohol from 6am until 2am, Monday to Sunday.
But following comments from West Midlands Police and the borough council's public health department, the business owner has agreed to restrict opening hours to 6am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.
The application has received an objection from local ward member, Councillor Eileen Russell, who said there was an excessive number of off-licences in the town centre already.
She said: “The ward around Station Street, within a 250-metre radius, has recorded 62 crimes in April 2025.
“Eighteen shoplifting reports, 14 violent crime reports, nine public order, five anti-social behaviour, et cetera.
“Violent crime reports for the WS2 postcode are more than five times higher than the Walsall average.
“This volume of crime and disorder is demonstrably high. These figures already place significant pressure on police and community resources.
“Adding a night-time venue with extended hours in this area will almost certainly worsen crime and public disorder, undermining the licensing objectives to prevent crime and disorder, to protect public safety, and to prevent public nuisance.”
The licensing sub-committee will meet on Thursday (July 24) at 10.30am to make a decision on the application.
