A former city centre betting shop will be transformed into a Nisa store after the owner was granted an off-sales licence by the council.
The convenience store, which will be situated at 228 Hope Street, “bucks the trend” of recent shop closures and will offer a number of services including alcoholic beverages, coffee and lottery and post office facilities.
The applicant Khalid Javed, who has invested more than £200,000 in the shop which will create 13 jobs, appeared before the licensing board on Friday morning.
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His representative Robin Morton said: “In recent years many local shops have closed in the area. We are bucking the trend and actually opening a shop in the city centre.
“This is a convenience store, operating seven days a week. My client has nine other shops which are run thoroughly throughout Glasgow and the surrounding areas.
“This store will be run as you would expect and will offer a number of services including coffee, snacks and alcoholic beverages. There will also be lottery and post office services available there.”
Members of the licensing board were advised that Mr Javed had helped the elderly and vulnerable throughout covid and raised money for various charities including Cash for Kids.
Mr Morton continued: “During Covid he helped people most in need and raised £10,000 for Cash for Kids which shows what type of person he is.
“At the end of the day, yes this is a convenience store but it is so much more than that.”
Questions were asked by members about the pricing structure and if items would be affordable to the public.
Councillor Alex Wilson said: “I am familiar with this building having worked near there some time ago. It used to be a post office so to bring that service back is a great idea.
“I would like to know how alcohol will be priced.”
Councillor Wilson was informed that the applicant would follow the pricing structure recommended by NISA.
Mr Morton added: “It will not be hugely expensive or overly cheap.”
