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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Olimpia Zagnat

Shop owners in Radford welcome plans to limit booze for sale in area with 'too much alcohol'

Traders in a busy Nottingham area said there is simply "too much alcohol" available for sale in shops there - and have called for change.

It comes as Nottingham City Council will be looking to separate the Radford saturation zone from the city centre, believing that this would suppress growth in licenced premises in the area.

Freydun Sakhi, who owns an off-licence store on Radford Road, said: "There is too much competition anyway.

He added: "I think it is important to remember that these shops are run by people with families - they are independent businesses.

"My wages and my family's come from this shop - however I think we have got enough as it is."

The 55-year-old went on and said: "I think it is part of Radford's charm - the off-licences and restaurants.

"But I think they are right in wanting to put an end to it and make it harder for other businesses to get their licence in the future."

Gova Juttla, a worker at his parents' off-licence store on the same road, added: "There would be more competition, but I do not think it would affect us necessarily because we are well-established - everyone knows about Peter's Convenience in Radford."

The 22-year-old added: "This is quite a rough area, everyone knows it and I think that the alcohol plays a big role in that.

"I just do not think it is necessary to have so many shops and venues that sell alcohol."

Another business owner in the area, who runs a phone store and wished to remain anonymous, said he "is sick of having drunk customers every day".

Sajad Akbar, another owner in the area, added: "We do not sell alcohol because we do not want to attract that clientele.

"I think the council's decision is the way forward - we do not need other off-licences in Radford."

The 45-year-old owner of the Mahmoods takeaway added: "These drunks - they are a nuisance sometimes."

The measures are likely to be introduced this summer, according to Nottingham City Council.

Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Safety and Inclusion, Neghat Khan, said: “Recognising the need to limit the number of licenced premises in Radford, we extended the existing city centre saturation zone into the area three years ago.

"This imposes an extra burden on anyone applying for an alcohol licence to demonstrate they are a responsible operator and have something extra and unique to bring to the area. The number of licenced premises in the area hasn’t increased in recent years, in part due to the saturation zone policy, as well as objections from organisations including the police and the closure of pubs.

“From this summer we are planning to separate the Radford saturation zone from the city centre zone, as the two areas are clearly very different and would benefit from different approaches. We believe this will continue to help suppress a growth in licenced premises in Radford which are not needed.”

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