‘That is discrimination’ warning during shop’s licence hearing

Objections to Black-owned businesses “border on a stereotypical view”, a social justice campaigner has argued while supporting a Birmingham shop’s licence extension bid.

Bishop Dr Desmond Jaddoo represented Handsworth shop The Vale Stores at a hearing for its application to extend its alcohol licence and opening hours to run for 24 hours today (Feb 7).

The shop is currently licensed to sell alcohol from 7am to 11pm and the licence holder is Everton Williams.

At the meeting, Dr Jaddoo said there had been a number of cases in the past year where Black-owned businesses have made licensing and planning applications and been opposed with objectors citing “drugs, antisocial behaviour or violence”.

He referenced Nyam and Jam at the former Observatory pub in Barker Street, Lozells, the African Village at the same road and shared accommodation for young women at Wilson Road, Lozells.

West Midlands Police had opposed the store’s licence extension on grounds of “crime and disorder and public nuisance”.

There were also objections on the same lines from the council’s licensing enforcement team as well as from Cllr Mahmood Hussain (Lab, Birchfield) and the chair of Birchfield Neighbourhood Forum around fears of antisocial behaviour.

One neighbour, John Rose had said “the extended hours will attract only or largely ‘ ne’er do wells’” and added during the meeting he meant people who are dependent on alcohol.

Dr Jaddoo, a former police and crime commissioner candidate, said the shop does not allow loitering, uses CCTV, is kept clean, does not play music and does not present a noise problem or threats to community safety.

He said: “It’s a family-run business and he does have standing in the community – the family being a part of the Windrush generation have been in that vicinity since 1963.

“There is a list of almost 300 signatures of local residents […] who have signed supporting this application. We did attempt to send it to the committee but we were told it was too late.

“In the past 12 months, four Black enterprises have made applications for licences or planning applications. They have all received objections on the same basis.

“One common thread is these are all Black enterprises and all we hear objections about are antisocial behaviour and as one person has put […] – drugs and dubious behaviour.

“We are bordering on a stereotypical view of when Black-owned businesses apply to the council.

“Now I am not accusing any councillor or the council of this – I am drawing it to your attention and you can draw whatever inference you wish to make from the representations.”

He said one of the representations made against the licence application – stating “residents have complained about ‘dubious’ activities involving drugs” – was “clearly a slur on Mr Williams’ character”.

He added: “That is discrimination […]. Why is it that when a Black person makes an application, straight away an objection involves drugs, antisocial behaviour or violence? Clearly that’s wrong.”

West Midlands Police spoke during the meeting to say the shop does not currently stay open to the full times stated on its licence.

Huram Taj of the force said: “The shop may be closing at 10pm due to lack of demand from the locals at that time of night.

“If this is the case, the extension of hours could be potentially to attract clientèle further away.

“This further suggests the nuisance this premises will pose on the residents who stand to benefit in no way from the extension – potentially gaining interrupted, sleepless nights.

“There is a risk this premises could become a flashpoint for crime and disorder and public nuisance.”

The licensing sub-committee will give its decision within five working days.