By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
A convenience store has been granted permission to sell alcohol despite residents raising concerns about crime, anti-social behaviour and noise.
Photo: LDRS
Article continues after this message...
Ananda Rathnayaka applied to the Southampton City Council for a premises licence for Natasha Food and Wine at 486 Portswood Road in Swaythling ward, which currently trades as Natasha Russian Shop
The proposal went before a licensing sub-committee on Wednesday, September 2, after attracting three objections from neighbours.
Initially Mr Rathnayaka wanted to sell alcohol from 7am to midnight.
However, following the concerns raised by residents, he decided to reduce the hours to 8am to 10.30pm every day, with identical opening hours.
Robert Jordan, representing the applicant, said his client wanted to get off to a good start with residents, which is why the hours were cut back.
Mr Jordan said: “I think these were the main concerns that were raised in the objections.”
He said shop staff will carry out regular patrols to clear any debris outside the premises if it originated from the store.
Mr Rathnayaka had no intention to serve street drinkers, the sub-committee heard.
The applicant had agreed licence conditions with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, including CCTV requirements.
No objections were raised by council environmental health officers.
Resident Monika Aszbrener told the meeting that Portswood Road was very quiet and there were already two other small shops where people could buy alcohol.
She asked why the applicant had chosen to stay open until 10.30pm.
Mr Rathnayaka said the other shops were open until 9pm and 10pm, respectively, adding that he wanted the extra half hour.
Councillors heard the applicant was an experienced shop operator.
Licensing sub-committee chairman Paul Kenny said the opposition from residents was noted but there was no evidence the premises currently caused any of these issues.
He said the committee had to determine the application on the evidence before it and noted that none of the responsible authorities had objected.
Members of the sub-committee granted the premises licence.
This article is from the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Some alterations/additions may have been made by our site - a BBC Local News Partnerships member. BBC-funded LDRS journalists cover local authorities and public service organisations, with content shared by all partners.