A Hove shop owner has applied to be allowed to sell alcohol for an hour later each day to bring the cut-off in line with the store’s closing time.
But a councillor and two neighbours objected to the application so a licensing panel – made up of three councillors – was asked to decide the issue.
Abadur Rahman, 25, who runs the Sweet Shop with his brother, Azizur Rahman, 22, applied to Brighton and Hove City Council to be permitted to sell drink until 11pm – the closing time.
As well as the three objections, three letters of support backed the proposed change at the store, formerly known as Montefiore Foods, towards the bottom of Montefiore Road, Hove.
Mr Rahman also applied for changes to some of the existing conditions attached to the shop’s licence including a variation to permit deliveries directly to the premises.
He wants to be able to devote 20 per cent of the shop’s floor space to drink – up from 15 per cent – and to be able to stock smaller bottles of spirits. Currently, they must be at least 70cl.
He also wants to be allowed to sell single cans of craft beer or speciality beer even if they are stronger than those he is currently permitted to stock.
Licensing consultant Oisin Daly, from Absolute Licensing Solutions, spoke for the business at the council licensing panel hearing today (Wednesday 19 July).
Mr Daly said that, according to guidelines, the licensed hours should match the opening times.
He said: “The primary concern is the extension of hours to 11pm. The premises licence was determined at a hearing where the hours (applied for) were reduced.”
The shop had been trading for about a year, with no problems, Mr Daly added.
Labour councillor Birgit Miller, who represents Goldsmid ward, spoke on behalf of objectors and said: “Youths have been congregating – and this has increased dramatically in the last year.
“This is an area which is extremely residential. There’s a hospital on one side.”
Councillor Miller said that the neighbours felt intimidated by the young people and, in one case, something had been thrown at their window.
The panel – councillors Julie Cattell, Andrei Czolak and Paul Nann – retired to decide the application. Their verdict should be made public within five working days.
What is it with the pisshead culture of drink available from people who do not drink to cause aggro in an area where the people who reside there have no interest in having pissheads around ????? Cut down the drink … cut down the amount of shops who have interest in who they sell to,,,, Petrol stations and ALL of the GREEDY GITS should be cut off from BOOZE SALES,,,, or is it all back handers to the council clowns giving away trading licences ????
I might not have expressed it the same way but, Yes – there seem to be far too many shops selling drink. Are UK residents unable to function without having alcohol readily available at any hour? Or is alcohol the only way a shop can make a decent profit nowadays? It was a bit too restricted in my youth when only off-sales at the pub were available, but gradually off-licences started to appear although they were quite few and far between. Now it seems every shop wants to fill a good part of the floor with drink.
I commend the comments made by the previous gentlemen and look forward to putting my cross next to either of their names should they appear on a ballot paper.
I live round here there are never kids hanging around here. Plus what do kids have to do with alcohol being sold to people 18+?
I’m think he’s already selling alcohol until 11pm you should try to buy and under age he hanging around the shop weekend evenings
Thank you
The police have been called out on multiple occasions and there’s been several fights in the street related to this shop so anyone who says it’s operated “without incident” can be safely ignored.
The kids drinking outside this shop on Friday and Saturday nights have also become a major nuisance. They’ve been recorded harassing people coming out of the hospital and residents. They’d been banned from other local shops for stealing and causing trouble but this guy serves anyone.
That’s true, there are 2 young girls sat on the ground outside the shop swigging Vodka right now.
I believe in fair play and to see the untrue, pathetic comments by those above is shameful. Never has there been an issue in Montefiore Rd never has there been an issue of noise and certainly no noise ir roedyism. It’s an egregious supportive fact that Spire Group that owns the private hospital opposite raised no objections.
Unfortunately too many self important busy bodies, and probable rascists, wanting Mr Rahman to fail in his reasonable application. Where were your objections to the council’s panel…nowhere!!
Totally agree with your point, i live very close and i never have seen an issue too, apart some Friday evening with a group of youngsters that i think they do some kind of reunion after an event around
He won’t be open much longer anyway.