A Brighton convenience store owner’s bid to extend alcohol sales into the early hours is being opposed by police and local businesses citing concerns of crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.
Hafiz Jarabanda, 57, who runs Lewes Road Convenience Store, a Premier-branded outlet at 192-193 Lewes Road, Brighton, has applied to extend the premises’ licensing hours to allow alcohol sales until 2am on Saturday and Sunday mornings and until 1am on weekdays.
The store currently has permission to sell alcohol between 9am and 11pm from Monday to Saturday and from 9am to 8pm on Sundays. The owner states that he wants to have extended hours so as to have level playing field with nearby competitors.
Jarabanda has also applied to remove a licence condition preventing the store from selling single cans of beer and cider, which currently must be sold only in multipacks of four or more.
However, as reported by a local media, the application has attracted six objections, including one from Sussex Police, and will now be considered by a Brighton and Hove City Council licensing panel.
Police argued that extending late-night alcohol availability could worsen existing issues in the surrounding area.
The force said drink and drugs had been linked to a number of offences in the area over the past year, including 190 violent offences, 20 sexual offences, 26 robberies, 65 public order offences and 29 incidents of criminal damage.
Of these offences, police said alcohol or drugs played a role in 67 cases.
Lewes Road falls within an area covered by Brighton and Hove’s licensing policy, where new alcohol licences face stricter controls because of a high concentration of alcohol-led businesses.
The council’s policy generally restricts new off-licences from operating beyond 11pm unless applicants can demonstrate exceptional circumstances.
A council licensing officer said the application did not address the policy restrictions or provide additional measures that would be needed to operate during the early hours.
The objection comes despite Jarabanda arguing that extended hours are needed to help the business compete with nearby retailers already operating late into the night.
“The current owner of the business has run these premises for around two and a half years without incident,” the application stated.
“The hours are needed to allow him to compete on a level playing field with the local competition, the majority of which operate to extended hours.”
efending his application, Jarabanda said the store had operated without problems since he took over and that he was committed to responsible retailing.
“I take my responsibilities as a licence holder very seriously,” he said.
“I respect my neighbours and the local community and if my application is granted, I will continue to operate the premises responsibly and in accordance with the licensing objectives.”