Miller News, a convenience store at 59 Milton Road, Widnes, has applied to vary its premises licence to permit the retail sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises from 6am to midnight, Monday to Sunday. The application, submitted by Sujeevan Balakrishnan, is made under the Licensing Act 2003, according to a notice published in the Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News.
Proposed changes and how to comment
The variation requests extended hours for the retail sale of alcohol and the removal of any other variations on hours attached to the existing licence. Anyone wishing to inspect the application may contact Halton Council’s licensing section, and written representations must be received by August 26, 2026.
Local impact and licensing objectives
Extending off-sales to midnight every day could change late-evening shopping patterns around Milton Road and nearby residential streets. Licensing decisions must balance convenience for customers and traders with the four licensing objectives: preventing crime and disorder, ensuring public safety, preventing public nuisance and protecting children from harm. Those who have any concerns or believe they may be adversely impacted are encouraged to set out evidence about potential noise, litter, anti-social behaviour or underage sales so the council can consider suitable steps.
Viewing the application and making representations
Details of the application can be viewed by contacting the licensing section at Halton Council, Municipal Building, Kingsway, Widnes WA8 7QF. Representations should be made in writing to the same address or by email to legalservices@halton.gov.uk by August 26, 2026. It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with a licensing application.
Key questions answered
What is being proposed? A variation of the premises licence for Miller News to permit off-sales of alcohol from 6am to midnight, seven days a week. Who is the applicant? Sujeevan Balakrishnan is named as the applicant for the premises at 59 Milton Road, Widnes WA8 7JR. What are the proposed alcohol sale hours? The notice seeks permission for retail sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises from 6am to midnight, Monday to Sunday. How can I view the full premises licence application? You can arrange to view details by contacting Halton Council’s licensing section. How do I make a representation? Send a written representation to the licensing section at the council’s Municipal Building address or email legalservices@halton.gov.uk by the stated deadline. What is the deadline for comments? The council must receive representations on or before August 26, 2026. What counts as a valid representation? Points that relate to the licensing objectives, such as prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance and protection of children from harm. What happens after the consultation? If valid objections are received, the application may be considered by a licensing sub-committee, which can grant, modify or refuse the variation.
Further details are available via the Public Notice Portal and from Halton Council’s licensing section. This article was crafted with the help of an AI engine, which speeds up the Liverpool ECHO's editorial research and applies it to article templates created by journalists in our newsrooms. An ECHO editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors or bugs to news@liverpool.com
