We’ve heard via the forum that TC News, or SLV News as it is now officially known, _has_ been granted a license to sell alcohol despite local opposition.
In a meeting at 10am this morning at County Hall, the council officials found no reason to not grant the license.
Many locals had been concerned that another outlet for alcohol in Ventnor wasn’t going to help with reducing alcohol related problems.
It was decided that as the application fulfilled all criteria needed, it was judged to be OK. In theory every shop in Ventnor – or any other town – could apply to sell alcohol too.
Do objections count for nothing?
It’s confusing that when locals do raise objection – people who probably know the area a lot better than those from the council deciding if there’s to be a license granted – they find out that their observations and points of view is effectively ignored.
What’s the point of asking for feedback from the public if it isn’t taken into consideration when the decision is being made?
In the hearing, one of the members of the public raised the concern with possible problem with people buying drink (we believe the shop will be open 9am – 9pm) and heading up to the Spring Hill Gardens to … enjoy their purchases. This was dismissed as not being linked.
Apparently the licensing authority aren’t concern with if there’s a chance that anti-social behaviour might arise, they’re just there to grant the license. Any problem that might arise are someone else’s issue.
In a country where there’s a continuing debate over how much people are drinking, what’s the logic in making more available to people?
It’s understood that for TC News and Country Kitchen to be knocked together to form a new Mini-mart will not require planning permission, so work could start straight away.
Thanks to Sheila and Mark for providing detail of the proceedings.
