Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Shopkeepers in Caerphilly have failed to persuade councillors to let them sell alcohol until 1am.

A request for earlier sales times each morning at the business was given the green light, however.

The owners of Shock, on Bartlett Street, had claimed later licensing hours would help them increase their income after they were forced to leave their old premises.

Police and council officers opposed the plan, amid fears late-night sales could lead to a “potential congregation of intoxicated persons” around the shop.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s licensing committee met shortly before Christmas to hear the cases for and against the proposed extension.

Members heard Shock opened in April 2024 after the council served its owners a compulsory purchase order for their existing Clive Street premises – as part of the proposed redevelopment of the town’s old indoor market.

Naz Nash, representing the applicants, said the business had struggled to retain its previous customer base because there were other off-licences nearby.

She said the move “completely shook up” the business and led to a “quite severe” financial hit – prompting them to seek an hours extension as a way to generate more sales.

Shock already had permission to sell alcohol between 9am and 11pm daily, and hoped to increase those hours to 8am to 1am, the committee was told.

PC Adrian Jones, a licensing officer for Gwent Police, told members the force feared the extension plan could have a “detrimental effect on the area”.

He said police had tackled crime around the town’s bus station previously – but Shock owner Esat Berkman said he had never had to contact the police because of any problems at his business.

Officers from the council’s environmental health and licensing departments also objected to the plans for later sales hours, but did not contest the proposal to increase the morning hours.

Following the meeting, the committee decided to refuse the application to extend Shock’s licensable hours to 1am, but approved the shop’s bid to sell alcohol from 8am daily.