Objections over shop's bid for 24-hour licence

A plan by a Wolverhampton shop to sell alcohol 24 hours a day has angered neighbours, who said the move would attract trouble to their estate.

The new Morrisons Daily store on Stubby Lane in Wednesfield has applied to City of Wolverhampton council to extend its licensing hours.

But responses the council has received ahead of a licensing committee meeting on 19 November are against the move.

Public and environmental health officers also said there was not enough information in the application about how the premises would protect people from public nuisance and potential trouble.

One objection, which was redacted in the licensing report, said: “I’ve lived here all my life and there have been changes relating to drink, drugs and knife crime around the estate.

“I’m concerned that selling alcohol 24 hours may create even more problems and issues for residents.”

Another objector added that it was "not good for the people or the area to have alcohol served 24/7."

The council’s licensing department said it was happy to hold talks about the application but called for it to be turned down.

The proposed opening times were a “significant departure” from the existing arrangement, it said.

A licence was issued in October for a Co-op that was previously on the site to open between 07:00 and 22:30.

Four complaints from neighbours were also lodged with the council in October, claiming structural work to convert the former supermarket had carried on until 01:00, with staff dragging metal delivery cages at 04:30.

Residents were also reportedly subjected to shouting and anti-social behaviour late at night from customers trying to get staff’s attention to buy alcohol.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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