'Ban sale of single can super strength beers at Lidl in Wolverhampton': Health chief plea amid high alcohol misuse death rate in city
West Midlands Police is backing calls for conditions ot be placed on the sale of super strength beer at Lidl in Wolverhampton
Lidl, which is soon to open a new supermarket on the site of the former F A Gill abattoir on the corner of Parkfield Road and Birmingham New Road in Wolverhampton, has applied to the council for a drinks licence.
But a senior public health official said the city had a high rate of alcohol deaths, and said the new shop should only be allowed to sell cans of 'super-strength' beers, ciders and lagers in packs of four or more.
A resident has also voiced concerns that an alcohol licence will attract beggars, while West Midlands Police have called for conditions to be placed on the sale of drinks.
The supermarket has applied for a licence to sell alcoholic drinks from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.
Wolverhampton Council's health improvement officer said the city had one of the country's highest death rates in the country from alcohol-related illness.
Monique Garikai said: "Wolverhampton stands as a regional outlier for alcohol related harm and alcohol related hospital admissions.
"Within the UK, Wolverhampton exhibits one of the highest alcohol-specific mortality rates."
She called for all cans of 'super-strength' lager, cider and beer, with an alcohol content of 6.5 per cent or more, should only be sold in packs of four or more.
"No single can sales shall be permitted," she added.
An un-named resident also lodged an objection, saying there was already an excessive number of drink retailers in the area, and feared that it would attract beggars.
The resident also voiced concerns about traffic problems in the area.
"There is an off-licence 20 yards away, an Aldi 200 yards away and in between that another off licence," the resident said.
"It will attract beggars and the homeless. The local Aldi and Tesco have a beggar constantly outside their main entrance.
"It will create extra traffic on a dangerous road section."
The resident said there had been at least one death in the past five years opposite the site entrance.
"There have been 18 recorded accidents, four serious at the junction outside with Birmingham New Road."
Police licensing officer Kayley Nixon said West Midlands Police wanted to request several conditions to ensure the licensing objectives were upheld and that, by granting this application, it will not have a negative impact on the wider community.
Planning permission was granted for a 24,500 sq ft food store and up to 17 homes on the site in October last year.
Full planning permission was granted for the supermarket, although the precise details of the housing development will still need further approval.
The abattoir and sausage factory, once owned by former Ludlow MP Christopher Gill, had been empty since the company was taken over in 2023.
The licence application is due to be considered by the licensing sub-committee at Wolverhampton Civic Centre at 10.30am on Thursday.
You can find out more about planning applications and planned roadworks where you live. Visit publicnoticeportal.uk.
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