An application by a Liverpool off-licence to sell smaller bottles of alcohol will “attract street drinkers” it has been claimed.
Plans have been submitted to Liverpool Council ’s licensing and gambling sub-committee for Sun Market on Prescot Road, L7, to amend its alcohol licence to allow for extended sales and the provision of bottles of spirits less than 70cl. The application has been lodged by Mustafa Pouryan and will be considered by the local authority on June 22.
Currently, Mr Pouryan’s business must not stock, display or sell bottles smaller than 70cl and can only sell alcohol between midday and 9pm. Under the suggested changes, Sun Market would seek to trade from 10am to 10pm.
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The proposals, which are situated within the Kensington and Fairfield ward, have been met with concerns by the three councillors representing the area. In a representation made alongside the application, Cllrs Liam Robinson, Wendy Simon and Sue Walker, said they had fears about such changes given “alcohol related crimes unfortunately increasing in the area once more following the pandemic”. They said: “The premises sits in an area with a high level of street drinking, and at the heart of a public space protection order that prohibits street drinking.
“To sell bottles of spirits less than 70cl is an attraction to street drinkers with the potential to create further issues with this acute problem in the area. There are a number of supported living properties in the area that house those with alcohol addictions, the number of which has only grown due to short term housing during the pandemic in the very near vicinity.
“With alcohol related crimes unfortunately increasing in the area once more following the pandemic, the re-introduction of a Cumulative Impact Assessment is being investigated.” No representations opposing the plans had been made by the licensing authority, Merseyside Police or trading standards.
However, the councillors raised further issues they held regarding the possibility of increased waste. They said: “There is significant concern regarding the potential for litter and discarded bottles in the area owing to the street drinking issue, not least due to a derelict site very close at the rear of the property and the potential for more litter and waste to accumulate here as well.”
The plans will be considered by the panel of three sub-committee members next month.
