Spar Central is set to open a new 24-hour convenience store in the former Holland and Barrett unit on Whitechapel, Liverpool, after receiving approval from Liverpool Council. The store is expected to open in the autumn.
The decision was made despite concerns raised by a neighbouring business owner about the potential for increased anti-social behaviour in the area, linked to the new late-night premises licence.
Concerns from neighbouring shop owner
Saleh Al Hathrie, who runs Shop & Go opposite the new venture, said he had witnessed people being “aggressive” and saw a number of street drinkers in Whitechapel. He feared the issue could be exacerbated by the new store.
Images obtained by the ECHO from Mr Al Hathrie’s shop show how a worker was targeted by a member of the public in the business in June. The customer appears to throw a punch and attempts to grab the face of a man working behind the counter inside.
Licensing conditions and police engagement
Ian Rushton, licensing agent on behalf of applicant Farhaan Raja, said the business was fully aware of Mr Al Hathrie’s concerns, but Merseyside Police had not objected to the plans.
The new store will sell alcohol 24 hours a day, with terms agreed with the force to ensure its beer cave and all other alcohol displays shall be capable of being secured against customer access. Between the hours of 10pm and 5am each day, customer access to the beer cave and all other alcohol displays shall only be permitted by a member of staff.
Mr Rushton said a 15-year lease had been secured for the building, and alcohol sales would represent around 15% of the business’ trade. He added that “extremely positive dialogue” had been held with Merseyside Police’s licensing team regarding the application, and they had sought to engage with Mr Al Hathrie.
Committee grants application
Addressing the committee, the Shop & Go director said his concerns were not borne out of being a competitor, but how his staff had been “violently assaulted and racially abused”. He told a licensing and gambling sub-committee how his shop operates 24 hours a day, leaving colleagues “exposed to aggression or anti-social behaviour”.
He said the assault recorded on CCTV “shows the seriousness of risks for people working in this area”. Mr Rushton said “nobody can hide from the fact there will be issues in the city centre”, but said this was not a reason for the committee to reject the application.
Mr Raja told members he had chosen to open the general store as it was the “busiest area” of the city centre. Door staff will be used during peak periods, Mr Rushton confirmed, with Mr Raja himself formerly Security Industry Authority registered. The committee granted the application as applied for.
