A Lake District convenience store can sell alcohol from 7am seven days a week despite police concerns.
The former Spar in Shorley Lane in Keswick applied to sell alcohol between 7am and 11pm, Monday to Sunday.
It currently sells alcohol between 8am and 11pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 10.30pm on Sundays.
Members of Cumberland Council’s licensing sub-committee met to consider the matter earlier this week.
The Spar is now a Go Local outlet.
Scott Adams, a harm reduction sergeant from Cumbria police, had objected to the proposal because he felt the increase in hours to be unnecessary and likely to cause an increase in the alcohol abuse.
Mr Malmaruhan told members that he had customers who worked night shifts, between 9pm and 6am, and they wanted to buy alcohol to have a drink before going to bed during the daytime. He added: “They are asking for it before 8am.”
Committee member councillor Bill Pegram (Maryport South, Labour) told Mr Malmaruhan that he used to work night shift and said the night shift staff had the option to buy their alcohol before they went to work.
PS Adams said the shop was in a deprived area where some residents had drug and alcohol issues and there were recorded incidents of youth anti-social behaviour and youth related disorder. He added: “I believe 7am is too early.”
When Cllr Mallinson said that a Spar outlet in Keswick was allowed to open at 7am PS Adams said he was not aware of it but added that Spar was a “national lead” with high standards relating to working practices and staff training.
In his statement PS Adams said: “The location of the shop is found within main town centre and very close to the bed and breakfasts within Keswick with many houses rented and social landlord bedsits.
“Although Keswick is an affluent town, this location can be deprived in parts with a large amount of substance and alcohol abuse within the community.
“The anti-social behaviour and crime levels are higher than the town averages in this location and within the highest 15 per cent within the Derwent area of Cumberland.
“The location is a very short walk to the local night time economy and town centres. Checking on similar shops in the town none have a 7am alcohol licence as such I would not be satisfied this application would meet the objectives of the licensing act.
“Keswick is a location frequented by walkers, campers and many weekend tourists. Many of these attend peacefully but some attend to consume alcohol in large amounts, which leads to them causing problems within the local community.”
He said that he felt the conditions offered or requested did not meet the increase in licensable activity requested and added: “As a police officer for over 22 years I deem the increase in licensable activity to be unnecessary and likely to cause an increase in the alcohol abuse, rise in anti-social behaviour and criminality due to the intoxication that will result from longer ability to serve alcohol.”
After considering the evidence committee chairman, Councillor John Mallinson (Houghton and Irthington, Conservative) told applicant Kannan Malmaruhan, who took over the business in February, that they had listened very carefully to the police officer’s submission and his concerns.
He added: “And, whilst we do not belittle them in any way, we feel that this application is permissible with certain conditions. So we are prepared to grant this variation but there will be some conditions which will be applied.
“I will give you a basic outline of what we are thinking of, but the actual wording will be negotiated. Perhaps we may ask the police to support us in this, and it will be set out in a letter.”
He outlined the conditions which included:
- Agreeing to adopt a Challenge 25 policy;
- Formally agreeing a prominent printed signage;
- To agree staff training for sale of alcohol;
- To maintain and keep available a refusal log;
- To maintain and make available the CCTV that you have;
- And to be prepared to refuse individuals who are known to the police and are informed to you.
