Store’s licensing row

Nineteen individuals object to High Street off licence bid

Greens Local, in Lochee High Street, has applied to the council for a licence to sell booze from its premises at numbers 171 to 173.

However, 19 separate individuals — including some local businesses — have written to object to the proposal, which goes before councillors on Thursday.

Karen Beattie, manageress of the High Street’s Last Tram pub, said in a letter to the council: “We are already overcrowded with off licence shops, and granting another licence will be inviting more trouble as there are off licences every few yards.”

Ian Forsyth, a resident of Sinclair Street, recommended that councillors reject the application on the basis that “it is scary to walk on the street at nights”. He said: “Giving permission to another off licence will make things worse.”

Mr Forsyth added that it would make it a “nightmare” for locals in the area.

Robin Smart, who lives in Balgay Street, said: “There are already many off licences in the area and enough drink-related issues.

“If another one opens up it will make things worse around the area.

“More sellers will attract more buyers, resulting in more nuisance.”

Alison Walker, meanwhile, who described herself as volunteer coordinator at a pop-up shop near the premises, said: “We already have too many off licence shops around the area.

“More shops will create competition and booze available at a cheap price, which is not good for society.”

Sajid Ali, owner of Lochee News Plus, said that he objected to the new store because the High Street had at least three off licences already.

He said: “There are too many here and it is only one street.

“It is a massive shop they are looking to open.

“Surely the council won’t allow this to open. It will be a bad situation for the community and it will make underage drinking problems worse.”

Samantha Drummond, a butcher in the area, said: “Another off licence would mean more trouble around the area, a price war, more consumption of alcohol, more trouble.

She added: “It will make it harder for us to operate our business as customers avoid the area if it is not peaceful and quiet.”

The same premises were at the centre of a 500-signature petition against a bid to sell alcohol there in 2014.

Eros Retail Ltd, the company behind the latest application, was approached for comment but had not responded by the time of going to press.

A STORM is brewing over a shop’s bid to sell alcohol.

Sajid Ali, owner of Lochee News Plus, said there are too many off licence premises on Lochee High Street.