A new Spar convenience store will open in Harefield after the Hillingdon Council Licensing Sub-committee voted to approve its licence. This is despite concerns raised by nearby businesses about the potential for crime and disorder due to the shop selling alcohol.
The shop will be located at 6-10 High Street, Harefield. It will be open every day between 7am and 11pm. Alcohol will also be available to purchase in these hours.
Two objections were made by nearby businesses. One was raised by Harleen Kaur on behalf of Harefield Wine. She told the committee: “On weekends people are badly drunk and can create a scene… we don’t usually sell alcohol to people who are badly drunk, what is the guarantee they [Spar] won’t.”
She added: “There are lots of crimes going on as people get drunk, or try and steal. It’s very hard over there. If they are opening another shop for alcohol that will create more nuisance.”
Charles Merritt, a barrister representing the applicant, pointed out that all licensed premises must follow conditions that prohibit the sale of alcohol to people already drunk. Additionally, there were no objections made by local police or council officers against the application.
However, Councillor Kelly Martin did raise questions about the layout of the premises and the potential for crime. He said: “In the original plan, by the first door was a beer counter. One of the objections is the antisocial element of people stealing alcohol in the area. With the counter being so far from the entrance and exit, how do you manage the flow in and out?”
The applicant reassured Cllr Martin that there would be three people working at all times, therefore any antisocial behaviour could be managed. The new shop will be operated by H&H News & Wine Ltd. The business currently operates two other convenience stores in Rickmansworth and St. Albans.
Local Democracy Reporter Grace Howarth covers the London boroughs of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), reporting on local government, housing, planning and community issues.
