By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
Councillors are deciding whether to grant a discount retailer permission to sell alcohol from a new store in Armley.
Home Bargains is set to open in the former Wilko’s store at Centre West Retail Park and has sought approval to sell drinks at the site off Stanningley Road.
Leeds City Council today heard the licensing application, and also heard concerns over problem street drinking in the community.
The council’s licensing sub-committee received one objection from a nearby householder.
They said: “Armley has a significant problem with alcoholism and there are already too many shops on and in the vicinity of Town Street which sell alcohol.”
Home Bargains was told it would be notified of a decision in five working days after meeting of the council’s licensing sub-committee.
Councillor Ed Carlisle told Tuesday’s (July 16) meeting: “Armley has really struggled with an over-supply of cheap and readily available alcohol. It has caused a huge problem in that community.”
But Home Bargains pointed out that no concerns had been raised by the police or the council’s public health team.
Alex Green, representing the company, said: “These are concerns not shared by the experts or responsible authorities. The applicant is a large national retailer, not a one-man band.”
Home Bargains applied to sell alcohol for consumption off the Stanningley Road premises between 6am and midnight.
The council has introduced a cumulative impact policy in the Armley Town Street area, which means applicants for a new or variation of a licence to sell alcohol must demonstrate that they will not add to problems such as public nuisance and crime and disorder.
The committee will release a decision on whether to grant, refuse or approve the licence with conditions next week.