Hearing set over concerns for Wolverhampton petrol station's 24-hour alcohol plan
A hearing will be held over a Wolverhampton petrol station’s plan to sell alcohol 24 hours a day.
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A request to extend alcohol sales at the Claregate Service Station, off Codsall Road has led to concerns from the city council over potential late-night disorder.
The local authority’s licensing committee will meet this week to decide whether the 24-hour plans can go ahead.
West Midlands Police and Wolverhampton Council’s licensing, public health and environmental health departments have all raised concerns about the application by Motor Fuel Limited.
Wolverhampton’s public health officers said the city “stood out” from the rest of the region for the number of people admitted to hospital because of alcohol.
“We have concerns about the requested hours for the sale of alcohol off the premises,” officers said in a response to the application.
“Data indicates that the city of Wolverhampton stands out regionally for alcohol-related harm and hospital admissions.
"Moreover, Wolverhampton has one of the highest alcohol-specific mortality rates in the UK.”
Licensing colleagues said they would not be standing down from its stance against selling alcohol 24/7 but would be mediating on selling hot and cold food between 11pm and 5am.
Others said there was “insufficient” information in the application to alleviate concerns over how the Esso petrol station, on the corner of Codsall Road and Pendeford Road would deal with key licensing aims such as preventing crime and disorder, protecting children from harm and the prevention of public nuisance.
Wolverhampton Council’s licensing sub-committee meets on Friday.
