A licensing applicant previously deemed “not upto it” has been given permission to open an off licence in Liverpool city centre.
In March, members of Liverpool Council ’s licensing and gambling sub-committee told Adam Sutton he had “not given the serious thought it deserves” when applying to open Baltic Bevies on Jamaica Street until 4am. Mr Sutton’s fresh application to open a business received assent from the committee this morning after a revised plan was put forward.
Mr Sutton’s new venture sought to open an off licence that would open from 8am to midnight Monday to Thursday and until 2am Friday and Saturday. Licensing agent Karl Barry told the committee that another off licence nearby operated identical hours and despite concerns being raised about anti-social behaviour, his client had not received any evidence of any occurrences.
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Mr Barry said Mr Sutton had also pledged to not allow the sale of nitrous oxide canisters from the new venture, which was approved by committee chair, Cllr Christine Banks, who said: “It kills people, it’s killing the kids.” A number of conditions had been agreed with Merseyside Police, including the serving of alcohol through a hatch as well as preventing the sale of super strength lager and cheap white cider.
Mr Barry added that four people would be employed at the business including a designated premises supervisor with more than 15 years’ experience in the trade. Cllr Hetty Wood, who objected to the proposals on behalf of residents, said she was pleased with the changes that had been made to the application but would prefer a reduction in trading hours.
She added: “Noise carries and it’s more of a high traffic area. It’s also in an area where people can come from a club being drunk and go over to the green.”
Cllr Wood called on Mr Sutton to engage with the community to allow residents to meet the business owner and operator as well as being able to contact the store when issues arise. Mr Barry said community engagement would continue and it “makes good sense” to meet with those living nearby.
He added: “They just want to be responsible premises licence holders and supervisors, we hope this business will flourish. They are more than willing to play their role.”
In approving the application, Cllr Banks said the business must adopt the Challenge 25 policy and may not sell single cans apart from genuine artisan products, as per the agreements with Merseyside Police that permits the sale of speciality ales, beers and ciders, which may have an ABV in excess of 6.5%.
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