Soon-to-open Bexhill store bids for booze licence

A new convenience store’s bid to secure an alcohol licence is set to go before Rother councillors this week.

On Friday, July 9, a Rother District Council licensing panel will consider an application from Kokul Services Ltd to sell alcohol from a soon-to-open convenience store at 30 Western Road, Bexhill.

If successful, the store would be licenced to serve alcohol from 6.30am to 11pm seven days a week (the same as its proposed opening hours).

While no concerns were raised by police or local authorities, the hearing is set to take place in light of an objection from local resident Andrew Crotty, who argues the sale of alcohol will create public nuisance.

In a letter of objection, Crotty said: “This will bring trouble to Bexhill and the drug scene becoming even more a problem. We have worked hard with the police to make sure certain people are banned from the town. This will only bring more problems.

“Not to mention the parking and lack of bins in Western Rd. I can’t possibly see this shop working when it will be between a Weatherspoons and a supermarket. We have too many shops in this small area that sell alcohol. I feel that we don’t need another one.”

This view is disputed by the store, however, which has committed to installing a CCTV system and ensuring staff have appropriate training.

The panel is set to consider the application in more detail at a hearing on July 9, with a decision expected to be published within five working days.