Licensing sub-committee to consider Lichfield Road Co-op’s alcohol application

A new Co-op food store is set to open in Stone – but proposals to sell alcohol until 10pm each day have met with objections.

As previously reported by A Little Bit of Stone, the Co-op store is part of a new retail development in Lichfield Road, between the Three Crowns Pub and Watsons Scrap Metal Merchants.

The retail area was approved as part of a development that included affordable housing in early 2019. But the plans sparked opposition at the time, with concerns that new shops could impact existing businesses in the town.

The application for a premises licence by Central England Co-operative, which is proposing alcohol sales between 7am and 10pm seven days a week, has also met with two objections from residents.

There have been no objections from responsible authorities such as Staffordshire Police or Stafford Borough Council’s Environmental Health department however.

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One objector said:

“As nearby residents of the new Co-op development, we are concerned at the extensive hours proposed for the sale of alcohol and consider that it is not appropriate in an established residential area.”

The other raised concerns about potential noise issues, light pollution and litter. They said:

“I feel the opening hours – 7am – 10pm seven days a week – do not in any way support licensing aims in the prevention of crime and disorder and public nuisance, and if anything add to the risk of such things.

“Large shops may require permission to load and unload goods before 9am on a Sunday. I feel the hours proposed are not balanced and reasonable given the proximity to the local residents.”

Stafford Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee is due to consider the application at a hearing on Friday, January 3.