Plans for new off-licence in Skelmersdale set to be decided on

Jan 3 2013 by Rob Pattinson, Skelmersdale Advertiser

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new off-licence in Digmoor will go before the licensing sub-committee next Monday.

Wshear Dawar has applied for a premises licence at 113 Birleywood.

If approval is given, the store would open from 9.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Saturday and 9.30am to 12.30pm on Sundays. A total of 96 objections from residents and four from traders were lodged against the plans, citing concerns of noise nuisance and anti- social behaviour in the area, and the fact there is already an off-licence on Digmoor Parade.

One objection stated: “I believe, if an off-licence was granted, it would increase the level of street drinking and associated disorder which is an ongoing concern in the Digmoor area and by granting another licence in the area would be detrimental to the area.”

Lancashire police has agreed a series of conditions with the applicant, should the licence be granted.

They include operating a CCTV system which covers all entrances and exits, putting in place a policy that anyone who looks under the age of 21 needs to provide ID, and recording any challenges to customers over the sale of age-restricted products in an incident book in the store.

A letter was sent to all objectors on November 24 advising them that the operating hours had changed and that a number of conditions had been requested by Lancashire Constabulary and had been agreed.

Four responses were received advising that they wanted to continue with their initial objection to the plan.