A Leeds shop owner says he fears aggressive customers may “kick off” if the city council prevents him from selling alcohol earlier in the day.
Shailendra Bhogal, who runs R S Mini Market in the city’s Harehills area, said he “didn’t want to take any risks” and was “losing morning trade” without an extended booze licence. The convenience store is currently allowed to sell alcohol from 11am to 11pm, but Mr Bhogal now wants permission to start at 8am instead.
But West Yorkshire Police, local councillors and Leeds’ environmental health unit all opposed the store’s application for a licence at a hearing on Tuesday, citing concerns around Harehills’ street drinking problems. Mr Bhogal did not attend the hearing at Leeds’ Civic Hall, but offered a written response to objectors’ who’d put forward their concerns in advance.
