Campaign launched to block off-licence
A new off-licence will be built in a Wolverhampton suburb under plans revealed today - which would take the total in the area to 12.
A new off-licence will be built in a Wolverhampton suburb under plans revealed today - which would take the total in the area to 12.
Campaigns have now been launched to halt the plans for a new shop selling booze in the vicinity of Dudley Road.
Proposals have been put forward to bring the former Pillaiyar Store in Blakenhall back to life as an off-licence.
The building is currently closed but alcohol will be sold from 6am to11pm Mondays to Saturdays and 10am to 10pm on Sundays if the plans are approved.
Councillors are now launching a protest against the plans and have voiced concerns that creating a new off-licence at the Ranelagh Road shop is "unnecessary".
Blakenhall's ward councillors claim there are already too many off-licences in and around Dudley Street and that any more could encourage greater incidents of anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Rowley said: "The Dudley Road suffers significantly from alcohol related anti-social behaviour. This is a particular problem on Phoenix Park and any further retail supply of alcohol would exacerbate these problems.
"There is no possible argument that there is an unmet need for alcohol in this area."
Wolverhampton City Council is currently inviting comments from the public but has dismissed the latest objection as lacking substance.
A letter from licensing services to Councillor John Rowley called the objection "frivolous" and said there was no evidence any anti-social activity around Phoenix Park and Dudley road was directly due to the number of licensed premises nearby.