Controversial chip shop in alcohol bid

A CONTROVERSIAL fish and chip shop has provoked anger once more by asking to be allowed to sell alcohol.

When an application was made earlier this year for a new Fintans to open on Station Road in Llanishen, there were complaints it was out of keeping with the village.

A councillor said it would “change the character of the village”.

A petition of 50 names objected to it getting planning permission, but there were the same number of names in support.

Permission was given by councillors and now a new application will go before a council committee.

It is for the shop, which is open from 9am to 9pm, to sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises.

The applicant says it is only intending to sell bottled beer and wine to accompany meals.

“We don’t anticipate any anti-social behaviour but all staff will be trained in Challenge 25, CCTV will be available at all time, stock will be stored out of reach of children”.

Objections to the proposal have been submitted and police have asked for conditions to be put in place. The anonymised objection says selling alcohol could “easily cause public disorder and further crime in Llanishen village”.

It also raises concerns it could impact the 16th century church which neighbours the shop.

“Alcohol bought from Fintans as ‘off site’ could easily become a public nuisance for not only the church but residents and the businesses of the village”.

A further concern drinkers”.

“Llanishen village has no active is “late-night police station. Who is going to police the area after 9pm if it has problems with late-night drinkers?”

Conservative Councillor Shaun Jenkins has again objected.

“Granting a licence would provide a further source of alcohol within an area already so heavily populated with licenced premises that there is a risk of increased public nuisance in the area,” he writes.

He says that as selling alcohol is “uncommon” that it “would have to be displayed prominently within the shop for customers to be aware of its presence.

“This will only incentivise the alcohol and given the very broad demographic who would likely frequent the shop, including children, there is a real risk this could lead to completely unnecessary exposure of alcohol to children”.

The licence will be discussed at a meeting planned for Friday.

An application for a licence for 188 Whitchurch Road on behalf of STK House Ltd is also to be discussed.

That is for a licence between 10am and 11pm Monday to Sunday at the former Cardiff Sportsgear premises.

The only objection is from police who say they have been unable to meet the applicant or gain entry to the premises.