Holmes-Smith Quality Butchers Ltd, a family-run butcher’s shop and cafe on Hesketh Drive in Southport, has been granted a licence to sell alcohol after its owner addressed local residents’ concerns about noise and antisocial behaviour. The application, initially seeking permission to sell alcohol from 9am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 8pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, was amended to reduce these hours and remove a request for live music events following objections from Merseyside Police and Sefton Council’s Environmental Health department.
Owner stresses licence is vital for survival
General manager Connor Holmes-Smith told Sefton Council’s licensing committee on Monday that the butcher trade is “dying a slow death” and that diversifying into alcohol sales is essential for the business to survive. “I’ve been working at the butcher’s my whole life,” he said. “This is vital for us to stay alive, to continue to grow and support the family, because it’s a family business.” The shop already offers catering services and hot food for eat-in or takeaway from a van parked in a small outdoor seating area. Mr Holmes-Smith said he wanted customers to “sit down and have a proper experience rather than just a takeaway,” adding: “I think it is the way to move forward for our business.”
He explained that he voluntarily reduced the proposed alcohol sale hours in response to neighbours’ concerns, and stressed his willingness to address any future issues. “I don’t want to cause any harm. People could approach me if there was a nuisance,” he said. Mr Holmes-Smith lives above the shop and said he would be on site quickly if any disturbance arose from customers consuming alcohol. “I don’t want to deal with anyone who is drunk on the premises,” he added.
Residents voice objections over noise and tranquillity
Several local residents attended the meeting to express objections. Liberal Democrat councillor for Cambridge ward Pat Keith spoke on behalf of a group of more than 50 people who signed a petition against the application. They raised concerns about “noise and disturbance” from customers sitting outside and from music carrying from the venue. However, the removal of live music from the application resolved the music-related worries. Cllr Keith described the area as “a very quiet, tree-lined road, residential,” with a “little parade of shops” that have “very restricted hours.” She said: “People like the tranquil setting and being out in the garden. They just feel that further development is going to radically change the nature of the area.” She acknowledged that “the fact that there’s not going to be any music is really very reassuring for the residents.”
Cannabis smell and management concerns
Local resident Diane Watkinson questioned whether the premises would be managed properly, citing the smell of cannabis drifting into her garden on more than one occasion. Mr Holmes-Smith responded: “There has been no weed being smoked on my premises at all,” adding that people who smoked “as they come in and out” always stopped when asked. Another neighbour, Steve Doughty, supported the business but feared that alcohol sales would increase traffic. “I appreciate the entrepreneurial talent of the applicant,” he said. “I know anecdotally that a lot of people objected to the food cabin but I’ve always supported it because the worst thing would be for the shop to close down.” He added: “I think to double or treble the number of people in that area would ruin the tranquillity.”
Committee grants licence after hearing no evidence of harm
Mr Holmes-Smith reiterated: “I don’t want to upset anyone; I just want my business to succeed.” He has placed his contact number in the shop window and suggested creating a community group chat or forum for residents to report any alcohol-related issues. The licensing committee granted the application, noting they had “heard residents’ concerns about the licence but had not heard any evidence that these concerns would occur.” They commended Mr Holmes-Smith for engaging with neighbours and making himself available to respond to queries and objections.
