Ipswich business granted alcohol licence despite Suffolk Police objection
An alcohol licence has been granted to a town's business despite police objections.
This morning, members of Ipswich's licensing and regulatory sub-committee discussed a bid for an alcohol licence for Food Twist Stores, in 2-4 Norwich Road.
The application was brought on after a licensing officer found the premises illegally selling alcohol without a licence in October.
Ms Philippa Abayomi-Taiwo, the owner, said she was 'gutted' and immediately removed the alcohol from display.
She added: "Sometimes you think you know so much of what you're getting yourself into until you're in it."
Sergeant Steven Wright, who presented Suffolk Constabulary's case against the application, said the force was already concerned with a number of businesses in the area.
A representation submitted by the police showed the number of reports made to the force between November 2023 and November 2024, with 75 antisocial behaviour calls, 38 relating to violence against a person, and 40 dealing with drugs.
Further reports included theft, arson, offensive weapons and prostitution.
Sgt Wright said the constabulary wanted to see areas 'flourish and improve' but stressed he was confident the alcohol licence would lead to a further increase in antisocial behaviour, add to already stretched police resources, and take the force's attention away from other issues.
He added he was concerned about Ms Abayomi-Taiwo's 'complete failure to abide by the law' due to the unlicensed sale of alcohol.
Addressing these concerns, the owner said she had put in place several measures recommended by the police.
These included installing a comprehensive CCTV system, keeping an incident log, training staff, implementing a Challenge 25 policy and not selling any super strength lagers, veers or ciders with 6.5 per cent Alcohol by Volume (ABV) or above.
After taking some time to consider the bid, councillors decided to grant the licence with the conditions proposed by the police and the extra requirement prohibiting the sale of any spirits, which Ms Abayomi-Taiwo had already committed to.
