Babergh District Council awards alcohol licence for new shop in Bures St Mary, near Sudbury, despite fears it could 'fuel' antisocial behaviour

An alcohol licence has been awarded for a new village convenience store despite fears it could 'easily fuel' antisocial behaviour.

The licence application for Central Stores, in Bridge Street, Bures St Mary, near Sudbury, was discussed during a meeting of Babergh's licensing sub-committee earlier today.

Thusithan Sinniah applied to open a new convenience store with off sale of alcohol every day between 7am and 10pm.

The store has been trading since November with a temporary events notice but eight representations were submitted objecting to the licence being granted primarily over concerns with alcohol-fueled antisocial behaviour.

Gill Jackson, a parish councillor who spoke as a resident during the meeting, said she did not oppose the opening of the store but stressed the licence could 'easily fuel' already problematic behaviour.

She said: "I have no wish to damage people's livelihood and to prevent things happening in the village that are beneficial and I know the groceries are appreciated by many, however, I have big concerns.

"There is a high likelihood the work being done to prevent antisocial behaviour is going to be undone."

Over the past four years, Cllr Jackson added, she had called the police as many as 20 times each year due to antisocial behaviour involving alcohol, pointing out if a licence was approved, it could allow those causing trouble to restock.

The applicant's agent said Mr Sinniah had a lot of previous experience which would help in managing the store, knew the area well and had put measures in place to prevent antisocial behaviour.

He said: "Since this business has been operating, a number of people have come and said they supported it and were really happy.

"It's not fair to blame [antisocial behaviour] on a business that hasn't been operating for a long time."

The measures included staff training, CCTV cameras covering the outside and inside of the premises, and a 'challenge 25' policy.

The agent said he understood the concerns but pointed out there was no evidence of the shop increasing the likelihood of problems within the town.

He said: "We don't want to fuel any youngsters coming in — I think it's something we can work together to manage."

During the meeting, Cllr Jackson went on to claim there had been an instance in December when an underage girl had been sold a beer and tobacco — this was denied by the applicant who said he had no record of it.

Andrew Clift, another resident living near the store, said he was not against the business operating, as well as having an alcohol licence, but said the opening hours were too late.

He suggested the shop's opening hours could remain as long as the alcohol permission elapsed by the time another shop in the village closed at 7 pm.

Committee members discussed the merits of the application and the concerns raised for some time in a private session before reaching a decision.

They concluded although there was potential for those who brought their own alcohol, and were raising problems, to top-up in the shop, there wasn't sufficient evidence to refuse the licence.

Members also pointed out the lack of an objection from the police.

Their final decision was to grant the license for the hours Mr Sinniah requested with a few extra conditions.

These included keeping the premises clean and tidy, displaying signage advising customers to be quiet and against underage drinking, and ensuring alcohol products did not account for more than 20 per cent of shelf space.

Mr Sinniah said the shelf space condition was already being met.