A Liverpool takeaway’s plans to get a premises licence have been hit with opposition from local councillors who say it could worsen problems in the area.
A Touch of Spice, oin Lawrence Road, Wavertree, will go before the council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee next week to try to secure approval for a plan to sell food late at night.
The takeaway plans to open until 1am during the week and 2am over the weekend – but Picton ward councillors have objected to its proposals.
In very similar submissions, Nathalie Nicholas, Abdul Qadir and Calvin Smeda said the late-night opening would act as a draw for people engaged in street drinking and said the area already suffered with that problem.
Cllr Nicholas’s said another licensed premises and a late night opening could “negatively impact on the community”.
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Her submission said: “If this application is approved, it could cause an increase in crime and disorder to residents in the area with people congregating long after to buy and consume alcohol in the area.
“In addition, the late night opening of this premises into 1am or 2am respectively can negatively impact the community.”
She said there was already an issue in the area with street drinking and anti-social behaviour linked to it.
Cllr Qadir and Cllr Smeda’s comments echo those made by Cllr Nicholas.
Touch of Spice will present its case for obtaining a licence to councillors on Tuesday and ill be given the chance to respond to the councillors’ comments then.
No other bodies, such as the fire service or the council’s licensing department have opposed the application, though Merseyside Police have insisted on a series of conditions, such as upgraded CCTV and staff training.
The council’s licensing and gambling sub-committee will meet on Tuesday to consider the application.
