Councillors will next week make a decision on whether a Warwick newsagents is allowed to extend the hours it sells alcohol.

Castle Newsagents at St John's is currently allowed to sell booze from 8am to 11pm but has applied for permission from Warwick District Council to extend this to the hours of 5.30am to 12 midnight - its current opening hours.

The sale of alcohol would remain for consumption off the premises.

However, one local resident has objected to the application, meaning it must go before the local authority's licensing and regulatory panel on Thursday (May 22).

"We object on the grounds that permitting alcohol sales very early in the morning and very late at night would conflict with the council's licensing objectives," the resident wrote. 

"It would increase the risk of crime and disorder, threaten public safety and potentially cause public nuisance."

They continued: "The evening extension of hours would attract people who have already been drinking elsewhere in the town, after other outlets for alcohol (and public toilets) have closed. 

"The morning extension would attract some who had enjoyed a very late night, others who had a problem with addiction. 

advertisement

"The newsagent's business must clearly open early to serve the hunger for news, but need not also serve a thirst for alcohol."

The unnamed resident is the only person to object to the application, with none of the fire, police, environmental health and public health services finding reason to.

The application says all staff will be trained in the challenge 25 order and CCTV is in place.

The current licence was granted in 2021.

At the panel, the applicant will have the chance to present their case.

See more here.