Shop staying open later ‘deters ASB’

A Herefordshire convenience store can sell alcohol till midnight, despite local representatives’ concerns over anti-social behaviour at the town-centre spot.

Gwalia Stores in Broad Street, Ross-on-Wye applied in December to extend its licence to sell alcohol from until 8pm to until midnight.

But Ross-on-Wye Town Council objected that permitting the change could worsen anti-social behaviour which it said was already prevalent in the area, while fire officers said fire safety issues identified at the shop had yet to be addressed.

The case was passed to Herefordshire Council’s licensing subcommittee to determine on March 23.

A Mr Rajesh, agent for the shop’s owner Ratheepan Ramanathan, told the meeting that his client was already staying open past 10pm without issues, even though he was unable to sell alcohol after 8pm as per the current licence.

“This is creating significant operational issues and is damaging his relationships with customers, some of whom work late shifts,” he said.

“This is his livelihood and he’s not going to jeopardise that by undermining the licensing objectives,” and was willing to abide by extra conditions to that end, Mr Rajesh added.

Nor had the police raised any issues over the licence extension, he pointed out – and indeed having the shop open late in the evening “can be a deterrent to crime and disorder”.

Meanwhile work to address the fire safety issues raised at the premises “will be done very soon”, he assured councillors.

With no speakers opposing the shop’s application, chair Coun Polly Andrews said the committee would grant the variation to the premises licence along with changes to the conditions on it.