Merseyside Police has said it cannot support a bid by a Liverpool city centre off licence to sell alcohol 24 hours a day.
An application has been made by Everydayz on Vauxhall Road to vary the conditions of its current terms to allow the business to trade all day, every day. Under its current licence, issued by Liverpool Council, the off licence can sell alcohol from 7am to 11pm Monday to Sunday.
The proposal has been met with opposition from the city’s police force, which has submitted a written objection to the local authority ahead of its licensing sub-committee meeting later this month. Dawn Lawrenson, Merseyside Police licensing officer, said in a letter to the council the force believes granting the variation would “undermine” prevention of crime and disorder.
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The letter said: “The location of the premises is in close proximity to the YMCA on Leeds Street as well as a hostel on Vauxhall Road, which houses vulnerable persons with alcohol and substance misuse issues.” The force correspondence added how it is “continually dealing with issues regarding street drinkers and anti-social behaviour in the area where these premises are situated” and the surrounding area.
According to Merseyside Police, a query was lodged with its licensing team by the business in March 2019 as to extending its trading hours until 2am, with the force indicating it would oppose any such move. Documents released ahead of the decision being made by Liverpool Council’s three-person panel said 12 letters had been received by the authority in support of the plans.
Under the variation being sought, Everydayz would only serve customers through a hatch between midnight and 6am each day. The business currently opens from 6am until 11pm.
Cllr Joe Hanson, Labour member for Kirkdale, was among those who objected who described the application as “outrageous.” In a written submission to the committee, he said: “This area is a high crime area with the area plagued by drug dealing and sadly some rough sleepers are sucked into this situation.
“Late night drinking will lead to more anti-social behaviour.” Cllr Hanson said the decision to trade between 11pm and 5am was “bordering on madness” and could lead to the business acting as a “hot spot” for those seeking alcohol.
He added: “I would like the committee to reject the outrageous application in total. This area has enough issues and problems with anti-social behaviour without more drinking outlets being established.”
The plans will be heard at Liverpool Town Hall on April 28.
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