Outcry at off-licence for square

May 10 2007 By Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

BIRMINGHAM'S historic St Paul's Square will have its first off-licence despite protests from residents.

The Lifestyle Express convenience store, which faces St Paul's Church, has been given the go-ahead to sell beers, wines and spirits until 9pm each day by city licensing chiefs.

Although the square and neighbouring streets have 11 licensed cafes and bars, including the Jam House, some with off-licence permission, this is the first shop to sell booze.

But owner Davinder Singh Basi was refused his request to be allowed to sell alcohol as late as 10.30pm as the licensing committee believed this would encourage binge drinking and add to anti-social behaviour.

The residents of flats above the Lifestyle Express had earlier issued a string of complaints against the shop claiming problems with noise from early morning newspaper deliveries, litter and bad parking by customers, while there was already considerable disturbances from the local nightspots.

David Rogers told the committee: "There are existing problems of anti-social behaviour and nuisance and these problems will be exacerbated by the off-licence."

He argued that, as one of Birmingham city centre's beauty spots and a conservation area, the off-licence would also have a negative impact on the square,

The residents were backed by their three local councillors.

Mr Basi said that he had cancelled the early newspaper deliveries following complaints and vowed to accept no deliveries before 8am.

Remaining complaints about bad smelling rubbish, litter, heating from cooking and poor customer parking were related to the a sandwich bar next door he claimed.

Speaking for Mr Basi, solicitor Adrian Curtis said: "The police have not objected, they to not see a problem with this application."