A LICENCE to sell alcohol at a 24 hour garage was granted with restricted hours after concerns were raised over the “harmful” impact” of drinking levels in Gwynedd by public health officials.
An application for a premises licence by Sterling Petroleum Ltd, at the Clynnog Fawr petrol station, near Caernarfon, came before Cyngor Gwynedd’s central licensing sub-committee on Tuesday (November 18)
The applicants, Sarujan Nadesan (area manager) through the agent Naga Rajesh, wanted to sell alcohol off the premises, opening 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but the sub-committee only agreed to opening 24 hours, and to allow alcohol sales from 6am-midnight, every day.
The application had prompted comments from Public Health Wales which stated that “more people in Gwynedd than the national average drink more than the recommended number of units of alcohol in a week”.
It noted the “availability of alcohol through extended opening hours could significantly influence drinking levels, drinking patterns, and alcohol-related harm”.
The Public Health Wales report said “hospital admissions in Gwynedd due to conditions associated with harmful alcohol consumption had increased”.
It also said the “Llanllyfni and Clynnog ward is considered to be a deprived area” and that it was “shown that people in deprived areas are more likely to experience hospital admissions for alcohol-related reasons or die from alcohol-related conditions”.
There were also concerns that alcohol could “cause harm to children in families where parents, adults or guardians misused alcohol”.
It described Clynnog Fawr as a small, rural village, and that the garage and shop was in a residential area.
“A 24-hour licence, seven days a week, would have a negative impact on the area, with more cars likely to drive to the location late at night as no other shop or garage is open as late in the surrounding areas,” the report added.
The licensing officer Gwenan Roberts, reading the comments, also stated that the applicants had considered the public health concerns and had shown “a willingness in principle” to reduce the hours of sale of alcohol.
Naga Rajesh said of the company’s other sites, the majority had 24 hour opening hours.
He said “We have a multi-team management structure, we have an area manager looking after a number of sites under his control making sure the staff and management follow the company procedures and meet all the safeguarding measures, we have a strict company structure in place,” he said.
They had put forward 24 hour opening hours based on “previous experience” at other sites, especially remote sites.
“Sometimes there are safety concerns, we have had a number of break-ins in the past, so we’d rather keep a business open and running, it is safer for the business and helpful for the police if someone is there 24/7,” he added.
Mr Rajesh said the company had in-house training for all staff managers to meet licensing objectives and public health concerns.
Ms Roberts said “the observations by public health were valid ones and its evidence is strong and thorough” but she added that the applicants were “experienced in running this type of premises”.
The application was granted subject to conditions.
Although the shop and service station would open 24 hours a day seven days a week – sale of alcohol as off sales would be restricted to the hours of between 6am – midnight.
Conditions imposed recommended by Public Health included ‘don’t drink and drive’ posters to be displayed in the shop, staff training on implementation of ‘Challenge 25’ age verification policy, training on refusal of sale for those under the influence and posters informing customers that alcohol would not be sold to those under the influence.
