Co-op gets station booze licence despite petition

The new store will be at Ipswich station

A new cashless Co-op store at Ipswich railway station has been granted a licence to sell alcohol despite a petition against the application.

The bid was submitted by the East of England Co-op, which plans to use a unit at the station on Burrell Road.

Ipswich Borough Council's licensing and regulatory sub-committee discussed the application on Wednesday, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Members approved it despite a 21-signature petition raising concerns about safety, litter and public disorder.

The petition read: "Introducing an establishment that serves alcohol could increase the risk of anti-social behaviour, potentially endangering passengers and staff, especially during peak hours.

"Alcohol consumption often leads to unruly behaviour, which could disrupt the peaceful environment of the station and compromise the safety and comfort of passengers."

However, those fears were not raised by any residents during the meeting, despite the licensing officer confirming several attempts at contacting objectors had been made.

Ian Seely, the applicant’s solicitor, said the company was a "very experienced operator" in mitigating the impacts of alcohol, and stated the fears were "completely speculative".

He added that the Co-op was confident the concerns expressed would not come to fruition, and invited any member of the public to complain and trigger a review of the premises if there was any negative impact.

The store at the station will not sell "super strength" lager or cider

Suffolk Police asked for two conditions to be attached to the licence, which the Co-op would follow.

Alcohol sales on Ipswich Town matchdays will be limited to four bottles or cans, or a single-litre bottle, and there will be customer reminders of the public spaces protection order in place in Ipswich town centre.

When the new store was announced, East of England Co-op chief executive Doug Field said: "We're thrilled to be opening a food store at Ipswich station, during what is an exciting time for the town and county.

"We're looking forward to meeting our new customers, commuters and thousands of football fans visiting the town to watch Premier League football at Portman Road."