Local residents support new Erdington store as police object to licence bid

The opening of a new off-licence in Erdington would ‘decrease public safety and increase the risk of harm to children’, it has been claimed.

An application has been made by the Grant Witton Lodge Convenience Store for a licence to sell alcohol from 6am to 1am Monday to Sunday, something the police have objected to over concerns around crime and disorder.

Local councillors Robert Alden and Gareth Moore have also written to the council voicing their objection, stating concerns around child safety.

However the applicant has hit back, presenting what they say is a petition by local residents to support the application with more than 500 signatures.

Writing to the council, West Midlands Police said that they would expect an increase in anti-social behaviour were the licence to be granted, with an increase in the number of calls to the police service also expected.

“Concerns have been raised by the local policing team that by granting this application there will be an increase in public nuisance and crime and disorder,” a letter to the committee states.

“They believe if granted it would be detrimental to the local community with implications of noise, anti-social behaviour and crime.

“A late night premises selling alcohol and food until 1am will likely encourage people from the wider area, creating a higher volume of traffic, footfall, noise, crime and ASB in a very residential area, at a time when local residents are trying to sleep.

“Also that it is highly likely as a result of this, calls for service would increase to West Midlands Police.”

And concerns over crime and disorder were echoed by the two local councillors, who wrote in a joint-letter.

“We believe the application should be rejected. It is clear that this late-night-off license in a residential area will increase crime and disorder locally,” they said.

“Being a main route through the local area and one that is used by many school children if it was approved it would decrease public safety and increase the risk of harm to children.”

However it appears that several local residents also support the application, with the applicant collecting over 500 signatures from surrounding areas supporting it.

The hearing is due to take place on Wednesday (April 7).