Green light for 24-hour licence at Preston convenience shop

The 24-hour sale of alcohol at a mini supermarket has been given the green light by licensing chiefs.
Fulwood Service StationFulwood Service Station
Fulwood Service Station

An application was lodged for the 24-hour-a-day booze sales at the former Co-op in Garstang Road in Preston, with a hearing held this week at Preston Town Hall.

Some residents had raised fears over a possible increase in anti-social behaviour, litter and night-time traffic.

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But the council’s licensing committee approved the license subject to conditions, and also insisted there would be no access to the shop between 11pm and 5am, with the premises instead operating from a window hatch during those hours.

Committee chairman Coun Ismail Bax said the meeting had heard from residents, councillors, and the chairman of the local PACT group, as well as a representative from Rontec Watford Ltd.

He said the extra condition of the use of the hatch through the night was hoped to ease fears neighbours may have.

He said: “There were residents concerned about anti-social behaviour and litter, but there was no evidence from the police to suggest there were any problems ongoing at the site.

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“The police supported the application and worked together with the applicant to draft some of the conditions that we applied.

“The hatch is hoped to allay any fears the neighbours have got, and they’ll not be able to provide hot food through the night.

“The service station is open 24-hours anyway for petrol and that was already the case, so the only thing that’s changing is the shop.”

Preston Council had received 15 letters of objection against the proposals, over fears including noise, parking issues and litter.

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The application was for the sale of alcohol for the consumption off the premises for 24 hours a day, and the provision of late-night refreshment from 11pm to 5am.

The proposed opening hours for the convenience store were for 24 hours a day.

The shop is currently trading as the Co-op, but is expected to close next month, before trading begins by the new operator.

It was sold to Rontec Watford Limited, and agents for the company submitted the application.

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