Coalville: Truck stop granted alcohol licence despite concerns

Bardon Truck Park bosses said other similar businesses already sold alcohol

A truck stop in Leicestershire has been given permission to sell alcohol despite fears it could lead to crime and disorder.

Bardon Truck Park, in Coalville, applied for a licence to sell drink saying it wanted to compete with other similar businesses.

Parish councillors opposed the move raising concerns about potential drink-driving.

However North West Leicestershire District Council granted permission.

The authority's licensing committee met on Monday to discuss the application and Keith Merrie, from Ellistown and Battleflat Parish Council, said the application should be refused.

He told the meeting there were already concerns about "traffic infringements" from lorries entering and leaving the site, in Beveridge Lane.

"I'm concerned if alcohol is added to the mix it could basically cause serious problems," he said.

Experienced security presence

The truck stop's director Brett Parker, in documents submitted to the council, said professional drivers who used the facility would not drink-drive because they knew they would risk their livelihoods.

He said: "Many drivers love the camaraderie with other drivers, sharing stories and discussing challenges that they face. They spend long hours alone on the road and many like to park up and have a break from driving.

"Drivers parking up for a few days and enjoying our facilities is not unusual."

Alcohol would be served from an existing cafe on site, he said.

His agent, Andy Newman, told the meeting there was an experienced security presence on the site and CCTV monitored by staff round the clock.

The committee heard there were no objections from the police to the application.

They also had been shown no evidence to support the claim the sale of alcohol would lead to more crime and disorder.

The licence was granted on the conditions the truck park staff were given extra training around the sale of alcohol and that CCTV would be made available to the police and the council on request.