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Store’s alcohol licence granted despite concerns

A convenience store has been granted an alcohol licence in Wolverhampton despite "grave concerns" that the area is already plagued by booze-fuelled incidents of noise and disruption.

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Phoenix Park on the A459 Dudley Road in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton. Photo: Google Street View

The application for Blakenhall Service Station, based at 327 Dudley Road, prompted concerns from Councillor Jas Dehar, who said the area suffered from anti-social behaviour.

Located opposite Phoenix Park, on the corner between Wanderers Avenue and the A459 Dudley Road, the site is currently not yet in operation.

However, after hearing from barrister Thomas Griffiths, who spoke on behalf of applicant Veronica Nastase, the licence was granted for an initial period of two years – providing no alcohol stronger than 6.5 per cent ABV was sold and that cans would only be available in multi-packs of no less than four.

Mr Griffiths told a meeting of the council’s Statutory Licensing Committee: “All the alcohol on the premises will be kept in chill cabinets that will be locked at all times.

“So anyone wanting to purchase anything will have to ask a member of staff who will then fetch it for them.

“Ms Nastase is aware there are existing anti-social behaviour problems in the area, and she will be installing 16 CCTV cameras on the site so it is covered entirely. There are no blind spots.

“She is already prepared to hire security people on the premises for busy periods, such as from Fridays to Sundays. There will also be a panic button under the till which will link directly to the police.

“And there will be no signage or offers displayed in the shop promoting the sale of cheap alcohol either,” he added.

Earlier, the committee heard from Councillor Dehar, who said: “Both I and my colleague, Councillor Paul Birch, have grave concerns about this. It’s one of the poorest areas in the city and there are already a lot of people drinking alcohol on the streets.

“There’s a mosque next door to the premises and residents including women and children who I am concerned for.

“I am currently working with the police to deal with the trouble we are having. However, I feel the consumption of alcohol from the new premises will add further nuisance and disruption in the park.”

Another concern expressed by Councillor Dehar was that the premises falls within one of Wolverhampton’s designated Cumulative Impact Zones (CIZ) – an area deemed to have a greater risk of potential anti-social behaviour.

Additional representations were also made to members by Public Health and Licensing bosses.

Councillor Alan Bolshaw, Chairman of the Statutory Licensing Committee, said: “There are other establishments along the Dudley Road selling alcohol with far sloppier conditions than those outlined in this application.”

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