Savers shop selling booze 'would fuel debauchery'

Savers in Caerphilly wants to sell alcohol, but there are fears it would fuel "debauchery" and "anti-social behaviour"

Plans for a town's discount health and beauty shop to also sell alcohol will fuel "debauchery" and "anti-social behaviour", it has been claimed.

Savers on Cardiff Road, Caerphilly, has asked the council if it can sell takeaway alcohol seven days a week.

Police did not oppose the plans, which were discussed at a licensing committee meeting on Tuesday.

Some residents wrote to the council, expressing their fears it would encourage drunken behaviour in the town centre.

One described similar businesses in the town as an “eye-sore”, which had led to “more drunk people – sometimes even teenagers – loitering”.

Another said it would “further fuel the debauchery and untoward social problems that arise... because of the imbalance of this town”.

Addressing the committee, Savers' regional manager, Mike Morgan, said the company took its responsibilities "very seriously".

He added staff were trained not to serve people who “appear to be drunk”.

PC Jonathan Taylor, of Gwent Police’s licensing team, told the committee the force had no objection to Savers’ application.

He said there was “nothing to suggest” the sale of alcohol would “add to any antisocial behaviour in the town”.

The committee will make its decision on whether to approve the application next week.