Bid to block new booze sales

They have warned allowing another store to sell booze in Bloomfield ward would add to the risk of alcohol-fueled problems.

Police and licensing bosses have both submitted objections to the application by Elankeeran Rajakulam for a licence to sell alcohol from the Local mini market at 113 to 115 Lytham Road, South Shore.

Bloomfield is also one of four wards in the town covered by a saturation policy which gives the council extra powers to control the proliferation of off licences.

It means the applicant must prove another premises will not increase the risk of harm from alcohol.

Mark Marshall, head of licensing at Blackpool Council, warns in papers submitted to a licensing hearing that Bloomfield ward already has the highest concentration of off-licences in Blackpool at 24, with about 40 per cent of those on Lytham Road.

The area also generates a high number of calls to the police at 112 per 1,000 households, which is the highest rate of any ward in the town.

In her submission on behalf of Lancashire Police, PC Lisa Evans says: “The number, type and density of the premises selling alcohol in a particular area can lead to serious problems of nuisance and disorder.”

She adds: “There is also currently a premises next door to this with an alcohol licence which was recently granted.

“This licence was only agreed if the premises licence held for 113 to 115 Lytham Road was terminated, and now a year on, a new application for that terminated licence is being applied for.”

In his application, Mr Rajakulam has not suggested any measures to reduce the impact of having another off licence such as not selling high strength alcohol and adopting a Challenge 25 policy in order to prevent under-age sales.

A licensing hearing is due to be held on Tuesday March 1 at 2.30pm at Blackpool Town Hall.