Police oppose ‘excessive’ 4am booze licence for corner shop next to university

An off-licence’s plans to sell booze until 4am are being opposed by the police and council, who describe proposed opening hours as ‘excessive’.

Ramis Off Licence, Derby Street, Bolton, has applied to sell alcohol from 8am-4am seven days per week. The shop is on the corner of Derby Street and Shaw Street at the end of a terraced row of commercial properties.

It is close to Bolton College and the University of Bolton complex. A licensing panel of councillors is set to decide on the application on Tuesday, November 26.

The shop has previously held a licence to sell alcohol, but this lapsed recently due to the previous licence holder passing away.

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Prior to the hearing Bolton Council has published material related to the plans. The application has received objections from Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Bolton Council’s licensing compliance team, and from a local councillor, Richard Silvester.

Licensing officer PC Ben Brookfield: “I am satisfied that granting the application would undermine the licensing objectives. GMP believe the opening hours are excessive and likely to impact negatively on the welfare of nearby residents who have over several months raised concerns of anti-social behaviour on a regular basis due to the shop being open until 4am.

“We have received concerns from the community concerning illicit activity at the premises. Anti-social behaviour in this area of Bolton continues to be a hot spot and demand on the police resources and as there are a number of residents living in close proximity to this premises it will only likely continue to have a negative impact on the community.”

Coun Silvester, said: “Residents in immediate proximity will be impacted by such activity of the opening hours being until 4am being noise and anti-social behaviour from the potential of drinking in the street from alcoholic sales.”

Since the application was made an email was sent by a representative of the shop saying that in light of the objections they would like to amend the times for the retail sale of alcohol requested to 8am-2am. The licensing panel will consider that request at the hearing next week.