A lockdown fad for selling beer in kegs has led to two local shops increasing the space they can devote to selling booze.
Alloa Road’s Day 2 Day Express in Stenhousemuir, and the Spar on Maggies Wood Loan, Falkirk were both given permission by Falkirk Council Licensing Board to increase the floorspace containing alcohol.
The board heard that the kegs – which have become increasingly popular in the past year – are bulky and heavy and require more floor space than traditional bottles and cans.
The Alloa Road shop – which became a media sensation for its tremendous community work during lockdown – was also given permission to deliver alcohol along with groceries.
The board heard this would only be delivered by its own members of staff, using the recently developed gofalkirk app.
The shop was also granted permission to sell hot food, although Mr Emslie stressed this would be a small scale operation.
Granting the variations to the two licences, the board’s convener, Niall Coleman, said it was important to remember that they would not restrict the shop to selling kegs.
But in considering each application, he was satisfied that the shops were well run and taking their responsibility for security seriously.
Councillor Lorna Binnie was particularly concerned that the Spar on Maggie Woods Loan is very near Falkirk High School and pupils queueing might not be easily seen.
However, she was reassured by several measures – including 32 linked CCTV cameras – she was told were in place to deter thieves.
Both applications were granted.
