CCTV images have revealed how a member of staff at a shop in Liverpool city centre was attacked by a customer in June. The footage shows a worker at a business around Whitechapel being grabbed by a member of the public.
Attack captured on CCTV
The images, obtained by the ECHO, show a staff member being confronted by a member of the public on June 7. The customer appears to throw a punch and attempts to grab the face of a man working behind the counter.
The release of the images follows concerns about a new Spar convenience store setting up in the area. A bid has been lodged with Liverpool Council for the business to take over the former Holland and Barratt store in the city centre.
Objections to alcohol licence
In a written representation opposing the plans, one shop owner said their staff "regularly experience racial abuse, intimidation, threatening behaviour and aggression from intoxicated individuals." The operator said they were against the Spar shop being granted a late night alcohol licence as "public safety is my greatest concern."
According to documents released by the city council ahead of a committee hearing on August 24, Spar Central Ltd has sought permission to operate a new convenience store at 15-17 Whitechapel. Terms have been agreed with Merseyside Police that the store's beer cave and all other alcohol displays shall be capable of being secured against customer access.
Safety and reputational concerns
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. In the representation, the other shop owner set out concerns about the impact of granting a licence.
They wrote: "Most seriously, one intoxicated person entered the staff only area behind my counter and violently assaulted a member of staff. I have retained CCTV footage of this incident and other examples of antisocial behaviour.
"The safety concerns are such that I deliberately chose NOT to apply for an alcohol licence for my own business despite the commercial benefit. I believe another premises selling alcohol throughout the day and night would significantly increase the risks to staff, customers and the public."
The business owner added how they had "personally witnessed children asking adults outside licensed premises to purchase alcohol, cigarettes and vaping products" including a teenage girl who "begged" to be bought a bottle of Lambrini. They added: "Although I do not suggest the applicant would knowingly sell alcohol to children, increasing the number of licensed premises is likely to increase opportunities for proxy purchasing and expose children to alcohol related harm."
Further opposition came regarding the impact the licence could have on the city's reputation. Another objector wrote: "24/7 alcohol sales will cause a lot of issues with it being in the centre of Liverpool and a great tourist populated area.
"Once customers have been refused in mine and surrounding bars and restaurants they will go into this off-licence to buy more and drink on streets or in outside premises without authority and will cause a lot more issues for police and bad rep to the city."
The plans will go before the licensing and gambling sub-committee at Liverpool Town Hall later this month.
