Grangemouth shop gets drinks licence despite objection

Grangemouth Community Council had objected to the application from Mieszko, in Charlotte Dundas Court, saying the area is a hot spot for alcohol-fuelled, anti-social behaviour which already has too many licensed premises.

But members of Falkirk’s Licensing Board were told by Sergeant Liam Livington of Police Scotland that while they concede there are issues with “sporadic anti-social behaviour” in that area, none of them were associated in any way with the premises under review.

Solicitor Dick Sandeman, representing the store, told the board it was currently a well-run store and would continue to be so.

He said: “This is a modest amount of alcohol which the owner is introducing because of demand from his customers.

“With all due respect to the Community Council, if there are problems, they are not of the owner’s making.

“This is serving a niche market and is not going to impact on the difficulties in the area.”

Councillors heard the store has an electronic till system and CCTV as required.

Grangemouth councillor Allyson Black said: “There are a lot of significant issues in Charlotte Dundas Court area and I have sympathy for what the community council is saying.

“They are right – it is a hot spot – but at the same time, I listen to what the applicant is saying and we have to judge the application on its own merits.”

Board convener Niall Coleman said the board took the concerns of residents seriously but they had no cause to link any anti-social behaviour with the applicant.

The application was agreed unanimously.