New convenience store in Liverpool secures licence

A new convenience store in Walton has secured a premises licence despite concerns being lodged over anti-social behaviour.

Liverpool Council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee took just 45 minutes to sign off on an application from Kalatharan Nagartnam and his new business, Tamil Convenience Store, at Centec Business Centre, Stopgate Lane. The store will now be able to trade alcohol from 7am to 11pm after securing the permission.

Ian Rushton, licensing agent on behalf of Mr Nagartnam, said the location was a brand new shop and his client had invested in its long-term future by securing a five year lease and pumping in £50,000. Mr Rushton said the “small unit” would be refurbished to “high standards”.

Regarding alcohol sales, Mr Rushton said they would account for “10-15%, a small part” of the store’s total trade, which would consist of groceries, soft drinks, cigarettes, dairy goods, snacks and confectionery. Between two and three staff would be employed at the shop to work in shifts, Mr Rushton said.

Of the applicant, Mr Rushton described Mr Nagartnam as “a family man” who had lived in Liverpool for the past four to five years and had 10 years experience in retail, most recently at a store in Bootle. He was now seeking to invest in his own business, Mr Rushton said.

Regarding concerns about anti-social behaviour, Mr Rushton said “we see no evidence” of this type of activity and described it as “speculation”. He added that the applicant sought to reassure residents that the shop would be run by a “responsible” individual and parking notices would be put up alongside regular litter picks.

Mr Rushton said it “spoke volumes” that representations had not been received from Liverpool Council, Merseyside Police or environmental health. Resident Michael Hart was given the opportunity to voice his concerns at the proposals.

He said he felt that there had been a lack of consultation from the applicant with local residents and was worried about the impact on parking. The latter issue was dismissed by committee member Cllr Malcolm Kelly, who told Mr Hart that parking matters fell under planning authority.

Mr Rushton added: “We want to be good neighbours here” as Cllr William Shortall confirmed the application for the premises licence was granted.