Southend c-store’s bid to sell alcohol 24/7 refused

By: Christine Sexton, Local Democracy Reporter

The owner of a convenience store in Southend has had a bid to sell alcohol 24/7 thrown out.

Major concerns were raised that the shop could become a public nuisance with rowdy customers lining the street.

Appans, at 259-261 Hamstel Road, wanted to serve customers on a two-in, two-out basis all night but councillors at a hearing of Southend Council’s licensing sub-committee feared it could lead to already inebriated people outside waiting to be let in.

In addition, the store wanted to deliver alcohol and convenience items throughout the night.

The application was opposed by the council’s licensing authority and environmental health and police.

Despite bosses at the shop claiming the public supported their bid and promises to mitigate any trouble, the licensing application has been rejected.

A council spokesman said: “I can confirm that, in respect of that application, the sub-committee felt that whilst the applicant had presented the application very articulately, it was, however, mindful that the police, licensing authority and environmental protection team were all experts in their respective fields and all had objected to the application.

“Their concerns had not been appropriately addressed and the sub-committee was not satisfied that the licensing objectives would not be undermined by the granting of the application.”

At the hearing, Ino Ratnasingam spoke on behalf of his father, Sinnathurai Ratnasingam, who owns the store, which currently opens from 7am to midnight Sunday to Wednesday and 7am to 1am Thursday to Saturday.

At the meeting, Mr Ratnasingam claimed deliveries would help reduce drink driving incidents and staff would be trained not to disturb the public.

The committee heard there would be two staff in the store and the door would automatically lock as it closed, allowing staff to admit two people at a time via a remote control key.

Mr Ratnasingam said a panic button would be installed which would automatically alert police of any disturbance.

However, the council spokesman said the applicant had “failed to address the concerns”.

The business owner has a right of appeal to the magistrates’ court within 21 days after the decision was notified to all parties.

(Local Democracy Reporting Service)