Petition wants police backing to fight plans on Walsall shop booze sales
A petition against plans to open a new off-licence in an area hit by problem drinking has seen community leaders claim it will ‘create issues’ for the police.
A licensing application has been submitted to Walsall Council to create a new Lifestyle Express on Birmingham Road, in the St Matthews ward, where police are looking to bring in new powers to tackle street drinkers.
The application will be discussed at a licensing committee meeting next month, however Councillor Aftab Nawaz has said residents already have 150 signatures to oppose it.
He also admitted he has his own concerns over a potential increase in street drinking as a result, saying the area already has too many shops selling alcohol.
Councillor Nawaz said: “People have been coming to me quite regularly to say they are against this plan, they feel this is one step too far and so they have started a petition. Around 150 people have signed it already and I will be arguing against it at the licensing committee meeting.
“We have a problem with street drinking in the ward and I don’t think this is going to help. Police are already aware of the issues and I would urge them to express any concerns they have with the council ahead of this meeting
The application is seeking to allow the shop to serve alcohol from 7am to 11pm every day and has been submitted to the authority by Salah Sedawi.
It will be discussed by council bosses on July 14.
