Shopkeepers say late night booze sales will help them recover after forced move

Shopkeepers who were forced to relocate in Caerphilly town centre say selling alcohol for longer each day will help them increase their income.

But police and council officers have objected to a bid to allow booze sales as late as 1am each day.

The owners of the Shock off-licence in Caerphilly town centre say their business suffered after they moved to new premises.

Caerphilly County Borough Council acquired their previous site, in Clive Street, via a compulsory purchase order as part of the proposed redevelopment of the old indoor market.

In April, the shopkeepers opened their current premises at 1 Bartlett Street, but say they have struggled to retain their previous customer base because other off-licences are nearby.

Those concerns were raised at a council licensing committee meeting, on Monday December 16, to discuss business owner Esat Berkman’s application for longer hours to sell alcohol.

Shock can currently sell booze between 9am and 11pm daily, but hopes to extend this to 8am to 1am.

Naz Nash, representing Shock, said the compulsory purchase of the previous premises “completely shook up” the business and led to a “quite severe” financial hit.

“That is the only reason they are requesting the extension,” she told the committee.

Gwent Police licensing officer PC Adrian Jones, however, said the force objected to the plans, which he claimed could have a “detrimental effect on the area”.

He said police had tackled crime around the town’s bus station previously, and were concerned later alcohol sales hours may lead to the “potential congregation of intoxicated persons”, including those who might become “combative” if Shock refused to serve them.

Mr Berkman told the committee he had never had to contact the police because of any problems at his business.

But the committee also heard objections to the later proposed hours from the council’s environmental health and licensing departments.

Victoria Woodland, an environmental health officer, said the business had “offered no mitigation” for how they would deal with issues.

The various council officers said they had no objection to Shock’s proposal to start selling alcohol at 8am instead of the current 9am, however.

The committee retired to consider its decision, which will be published within five working days.