A public health official is urging Solihull councillors to reject a proposal that would allow a convenience shop in Chelmsley Wood to sell alcohol for extended hours. Haj News Ltd, based on Yorkminster Drive, has applied to Solihull Council for permission to sell alcohol during its full opening hours, from 6.30am to 11pm.
Currently, the shop's licence permits alcohol sales between 8am and 11pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 10.30pm on Sundays, 8am to 10.30pm on Good Friday, and noon to 3pm and 7pm to 10.30pm on Christmas Day. The proposed change would align alcohol sales with the store's existing trading hours.
In its application, the licence holder states: "This variation seeks to permit the sale of alcohol to match the existing shop trade hours. There are no changes proposed to the internal layout or any existing operating condition – other than the formal adjustment of the hours."
Public Health Concerns
A special meeting of the licensing act panel has been arranged, but ahead of the meeting, council officer Lucy Armstrong, the commissioner for drugs and alcohol (public health), has objected to the variation. In her objection, she writes: "The area in which the premises is located is already experiencing a high level of alcohol-related harm and vulnerability, with alcohol-related risk estimated to be high.
"In view of this, the proposed variation to permit off-sales of alcohol from 6.30am gives rise to concern in relation to the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and may also undermine the prevention of public nuisance.
"In a ward already showing the highest levels of alcohol treatment need, anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse casework there is a reasonable concern extending the morning availability would exacerbate existing crime, disorder, and safety risks."
Panel Options
A report ahead of the panel's meeting outlines the options available to councillors: grant the variation application as applied for, refuse the variation application, or grant the variation application with amendments or additional conditions attached to the premises licence. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Civic Suite on April 29.
