Lambeth council approval for alcohol sales from a new shop on Brixton’s Angell Town estate has been greeted with dismay by local residents and community activists.
The council’s licensing sub-committee agreed that a convenience store due to open in the heart of the estate could have a licence to sell alcohol from 11am to 10pm.
The store, on the ground floor of Fairfax House, had wanted to start selling alcohol at 7am. It stands within a few metres of a football cage that is heavily used by young people.
Despite hearing objections from Angell Town residents, a local councillor, local MP Helen Hayes and Diana Linskey, chair of the Brixton North safer neighbourhood panel, the committee’s chair David Robson said it had decided that there was no “direct evidence” that the new alcohol outlet might contribute to street drinking.
The committee did include a number of extra conditions when granting the licence, including one requiring a direct phone number for the manager of the shop to be available to residents at all times it is open.
Robson also told the store’s representatives that the committee believed that management of the venue should ensure that they regularly attend meetings of the local safer neighbourhood panel. “It’s important to stress that these conditions will be part of your licence and, if they’re not adhered to, then that could potentially bring a review,” he said.
Commenting on the decision, Michelle Killington who lives in Angell Town and has campaigned on many fronts for the local community, environment and people, said: “Money always trumps social value. A council estate working towards training, development and self-empowerment opportunities does not need a shop selling alcohol from 11am to 10pm each day, when there are several shops a stone’s throw away selling alcohol.”
She said a community shop similar to the one in West Norwood would be in keeping with the fabric of a developing community.
“Licensing law should ensure engagement with the residents near to any new development for 28 days, to understand the views of the neighbourhood.
“A blue notice stuck to a building is not sufficient for those whose first language may not be English, or parents rushing from the school gates, to work. or to study – the notice will be easily missed.
“The resident management organisation (RMO) managing the estate should also have been notified. This was not the case.
“Brixton North Ward is one the most deprived areas in the UK, with high levels of serious youth violence, rough sleepers, street drinking, and drug-fuelled pandemonium.
“Is this approval just another sign of gentrification? Distracting the growth of a developing community with unnecessary temptation, disruption and risks of further anti-social behaviour?”
Helen Hayes said that she had been contacted by many Angell Town residents who were concerned about the impact of alcohol sales on the estate could exacerbate problems of crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly if sales were permitted from 7am.
“It is welcome that the licensing committee reduced the hours of sale and imposed conditions to ensure that the operator engages with the local community,” she said.
“I am continuing to work with the council, the police, residents and local health services to address the problems of drug and alcohol related crime and anti-social behaviour in the Brixton part of my constituency, which remain a top priority.
“In this context it is vitally important that the conditions on this application are properly enforced and monitored.”
Diana Linskey, while welcoming the extra conditions, said the decision was disappointing.
“As chair of the local safer neighbourhood panel, I remain concerned that we may well see increased anti-social behaviour in the area when this premises opens.
“I urge local residents to report any anti-social behaviour they witness in the area. Any linked to the premises will help Lambeth and the police monitor the new licence conditions.
“We badly need statistics which better reflect the levels of anti-social behaviour in the area. This would have strengthened the case for the refusal of this licence.”
