Police oppose alcohol plan for Staffordshire petrol station

Officers say that granting a drinks licence to Rugeley service station in the village of Brereton would attract crime and disorder and make the lives of local residents a misery.

The firm wants to be able to sell alcohol for 17 hours daily, from 6am to 11pm, Monday through to Sunday inclusive. The premises is open round the clock. But police argue that the business in Main Road is primarily a petrol station.

As a result they argue it is excluded under the law from selling alcohol.

They have asked the applicant, Rontec Watford Limited, based in Jersey in the Channel Islands, for evidence of the the primary use of the business but have not received a reply.

Police licensing officer Jennifer Mellor said that the applicant had failed to send her proof of the type of business it is.

In support of its application, the firm argues that CCTV system would be installed with cameras covering the entrance and the alcohol display area and staff would refuse to sell drink to under-25s.

Police licensing officers have been cracking down on attempts by filling stations to move into the alcohol business. Eighteen months ago they blocked moves by another petrol station in Rugeley, the Malthurst service station in Western Springs Road, which wanted a 24-hour drinks licence. The sale of alcohol is banned at motorway service stations but is often sold legally at petrol stations and garages.

The charity Alcohol Concern has queried whether such sales are "in the best interest of all road users."

It has released a briefing paper about alcohol sales at petrol stations and garages, with recommendations including drink-drive warnings being displayed at the point of sale at all petrol stations where alcohol is available. The charity's policy manager Andrew Misell said: "Although the number of drink-driving accidents has substantially reduced over the last 20 years, as many as one in six deaths on roads in the UK are caused by drivers over the legal alcohol limit.

"Of course, motorists have many opportunities to purchase alcohol from premises other than petrol stations, such as off-licences and supermarkets, but we need to think carefully about whether making alcohol available at petrol stations is in the best interest of all road users."

Mrs Mellor said Cannock Chase Council had to decide whether it would grant a drinks licence without any proof as to the main use of the premises. The matter will be decided at a licensing meeting next Wednesday.