SEVENTEEN Black’s application for a variation of premises licence to add an off licence facility has yet again been opposed by Cirencester Town Council.

The change in licence, if permitted, would mean that Seventeen Black and other businesses within its premises, including a planned fish and chip restaurant, will be able to sell alcohol for customers to take away.

The town council’s planning committee first objected to the application on September 15 as councillors were not able to comprehend why the wine bar needed to sell alcohol for customers to take away. There were also concerns about crime and disorder, and public nuisance.

After a re-listing of the application to have details clarified by owners of the wine bar, Meridian Retail, Cirencester Town Council on Thursday, October 13 again objected to the proposal, maintaining their concerns on crime and disorder, and public nuisance.

The town council makes recommendations on planning applications to be considered by Cotswold District Council.

A statement by the town council's planning group wrote that the committee considered crime statistics which showed an increase in crimes tagged ‘violence against another person’ and ‘criminal damage’ where the consumption of alcohol was thought to be a contributing factor.

They continued: “The committee in its consideration of the application was not reassured that requiring bottles of wine or other alcoholic beverages to be sealed in resealable high-visibility bags before leaving the premises would provide the level of public protection or assurance required late into the night or the early hours of the following morning.

“Nor could the police, who do not receive a contribution from businesses to police the night-time economy, guarantee that a police officer would be on hand to stop people drinking illegally within the street no-drinking zone."

Cllr Stuart Tarr, chairman of the town council’s planning committee, later said: "I believe this was the right and only decision we could justifiably make.

“There is an increase in the categories of crime associated with alcohol consumption. The committee decided to err on the side of public safety and protection including the young and vulnerable, who may be at risk to themselves or from others where too much alcohol has been consumed."

Daniel Lafford of Meridian Retail, said that the off licence facility would enable Seventeen Black to sell alcohol to those who would be heading to house parties after opening hours.

He explained that this would help the wine bar as they could not always stay open late because of the footfall.

He said that having an off licence facility was nothing special in Cirencester, with ten venues in the town, including ReVa Nightclub, which Meridian Retail also owns, being able to responsibly sell alcohol to take away.

He said: “ReVa has had an off licence since it opened 28 years ago. I don’t see what the problem is.

“The town council were worried that other venues would ask for a licence too, but they’ve already got one.

“With an off licence facility, we ask people not to drink on the premises or on the streets, and that’s what people are doing. We only serve to people who are sensible, not people who are intoxicated.”