Big‘ no’ to any more off- sales outlets

Cumnock and Doon Valley has been declared a near no- go zone for new off licences.

It would be an “uphill struggle” for any business wanting to open an off- sales outlet in the area, a council licensing board heard.

Councillors approved a new policy that East Ayrshire has already too many off sales. It was signed off at the Licensing Board meeting last Tuesday morning.

Stuart McCall, depute clerk to the Licensing Board, said: “East Ayrshire in its entirety is over provided for in terms of off sales. From the next board meeting any new application for off- sales premises will be met with a rebuttable presumption of refusal.”

He said it would be an” uphill struggle” for any firm wanting to enter the off- licence market from now.

The new strict policy starts in November and will be in place for the next five years.

Licensing board chairman Tom Cook said there is still a possibility a firm could be granted a licence in exceptional cases if it presents a strong argument.

Research found there were more booze- related deaths in areas with the most off- licences.

Charity Alcohol Focus Scotland ( AFS) said there was a“statistically significant relationship” in East Ayrshire between areas with the most places to buy booze and alcohol- related deaths, hospitalisation and crime.

The number of alcohol outlets in nearly a quarter of East Ayrshire areas ( 23 per cent) is above the Scottish average.

AFS research shows the most deprived estates had 90 per cent more off- sales than the poorest.