Plans for alcohol to be sold around the clock in an area of Liverpool suffering with high crime and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour have been described as 'outrageous' and 'madness'.
An application has been submitted to Liverpool City Council by Nathiya Varathes and relates to the Everydayz shop on Vauxhall Road. The shop is currently licensed to sell alcohol between the hours of 7am and 11pm each day but the new application is seeking permission to extend that so that alcohol can be sold 24 hours a day, everyday.
The shop's plans have caused a lot of concern for local authorities, who say the area is already being blighted by crime and anti-social behaviour - with a lot of this caused by alcohol-related issues.
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Submitting an objection, Kirkdale councillor Joe Hanson said: "This area is a high crime area. The area is plagued by drug dealing and sadly some rough sleepers are sucked into this situation. Late night drinking will lead to more anti social behaviour.
"Many of residents work in the night time economy and have to walkalong Vauxhall road, in the early hours of the morning which already has certain risks. This would be bordering on madness."
He added: "The shop would be a hot spot for the for the likes of the YMCA residents some of whom lead a dysfunctional life and encourage rough sleepers in the area to make use of the late hours when drink is available 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 ."
Merseyside Police has also registered their strong objections to the application.
The objection from the force reads: "Merseyside Police believe that the granting of this application will undermine the Licensing Objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.
"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
"To date, Merseyside Police are continually dealing with issues regarding street drinkers and antisocial behaviour in the area where these premises are situated. The area suffers with high levels of crime, violence and antisocial behaviour - including alcohol related crime. Merseyside Police cannot support this variation."
The application will be debated by Liverpool Council's Licensing Committee on Friday April 28. A decision will then be made whether to approve it or not.
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