An application has been made for a licence to sell alcohol 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from a shop at 52 High Street, Kings Heath. The shop is located between Restaurant Veneziano and Bike Pro, opposite the derelict Kingsway cinema. The application also covers the sale of what are described as ‘late night refreshments’ from 11pm to 5am, again, 7 days a week.

If granted, the licence will be for drinking off the premises. In other words, it looks as if this will be a supermarket, selling alcohol in the way that supermarkets normally sell it. The difference in this case will be that it will be permitted round the clock, every day of the week.

This application comes just months after consultation on a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). The relevant website claimed that, ‘in Moseley & Kings Heath ward, this is being introduced to address unlicenced street drinking related anti-social behaviour’.

Representations relating to this application must be made in writing by 19 July 2016 to Birmingham City Council, Licensing Section, P.O. Box 17013, Birmingham B6 9ES.

View the full details of the licence application (pdf)

The Residents’ Forum management committee discussed concerns at a meeting held 6 July 2016. The Forum will respond to Birmingham City Council Licensing specifically objecting to the sale of alcohol after 11pm. (More information to follow shortly.)

Other potential reasons for objecting to this application include:

1. Anti-social behaviour.
2. Litter and street cleanliness.
3. There are already two 24-hour shops selling alcohol, and two other late-night closure shops; no need for any more.
4. Noise at night.
5. Traffic and road safety.
6. This licence application will not help achieve the aims of the Public Space Protection Order.
7. Lack of toilets.
8. Unsocial hours.
9. Close to residential housing in Bank Street, Grange Road and apartments in the future Kingsway development on the opposite side of the High Street.
10. Risk of underage sales of alcohol to local school children.