A Warwick newsagents has won its battle to sell alcohol for longer each day, despite the objection of a local resident.

Warwick District Council’s licensing and regulatory panel last week granted the extended hours for Castle Newsagents, meaning it can now sell alcohol from 5.30am to 12 midnight.

Previously the St Johns business was only allowed to sell booze from 8am to 11pm, but said it wanted the longer hours to match neighbouring businesses.

Speaking at the meeting Robert Jordan, representing the applicant, said: “No representations have been made from any of the responsible authorities, in particular the police or environmental health.”

He added: “We see no evidence that harm will occur [from the longer hours]. 

“Speculation is not enough regarding what might happen. 

“The licence holder will be running the 11am to midnight shift himself, especially for three months to see if any issues were to occur.”

Mr Jordan also said the shop has added to staff training to ensure all the council’s licensing objectives would be upheld.

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At Thursday’s (May 22) meeting, Cllr Sidney Syson asked what demand there was for alcohol sales at 5.30am.

Mr Jordan said there was no pressing demand, but said local shift workers like to come in early and “like to buy everything in one go”.

He continued: “It is convenient to be open for every product you have on the shelves. 

“They will not be selling street drinkers or anything like that. He [the applicant] has had no issues.”

Speaking at the same meeting, one neighbour who lives opposite the shop on St Johns made his case.

“Three of the council’s licensing objectives will be put at risk by having alcohol sales early in the morning, but particularly late at night, when more people who have already been drinking are more likely to be seeking more,” he said.

However, councillors voted in favour of granting the new licence.