Fears over fresh bid to reopen Walsall off licence dubbed as 'hub of violent incidents'
Worried residents living near an old Aldridge off licence where a ‘Rambo-style’ knife was found fear trouble could return if it’s allowed to reopen.
An application to open a new off licence and convenience store on Walsall Road is to be considered at a Walsall Council hearing on Tuesday.
The premises was previously known as Spar, but boss Paul Sapra had his permit to sell alcohol revoked in May after licensing bosses heard the store had become a ‘hub of violent incidents’.
This fresh bid to reopen the store has been made by new applicants Dalvinder Kaur Sall and Sanjeev Singh with opening hours of 8am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 11pm on Sundays.
They have already agreed a string of conditions with police including preventing Mr Sapra of holding any position in the shop.
In their application they said: “The premises was an off licence and convenience store but we have been informed the licence was revoked due to various issues with the prior owner.
“We would like to re-open as an off-licence and convenience store again.”
But while no objections have been raised by police, community protection, fire service and other bodies, two residents have lodged concerns about what the new store might bring.
Hannah Martin said her parents live near the shop and they witnessed people hanging around outside whilst drunk as well as other issues such as litter.
She said: “It is causing them great distress at the thought of it re-opening. There is a Tesco Express around the corner – local residents do not need another shop.
“(There is a) risk of anti-social behaviour. Previously it was only allowed to open until 9.30pm. Why can it be open until 11pm? This will cause even more problems than before.”
Karen Ward added: “It’s encouraging anti-social drinking and unruly behaviour and an attraction for undesirable characters from the area and outside.
“Late opening (will) attract extreme littering and people urinating in side passage of the adjacent flats.”
Other conditions agreed include ensure staff are fully trained in the licensing objectives, fully maintained and operational CCTV, keeping an incident log and operating a Challenge 25 policy.
Back in May, licensing committee members heard how the old Spar shop had become a hotbed for violence, drug use, anti-social behaviour involving school children and weapons being found in and around the store.
One of these was described as a “Rambo” style knife which was found behind the counter.
Trading Standards also operated volunteer test purchases where an age restricted vape was sold to a 15-year-old.
Mr Sapra had said the problems were down to teenagers and a former member of staff, who was responsible for the knife and cannabis found in the shop for which he later received a court fine.
But the committee agreed with both police and Trading Standards had failed to prevent crime and disorder, prevent public nuisance and protect children safe from harm.
