Keynsham Chocolate Quarter off-licence plans approved

A new branch of One Stop has been approved at the Chocolate Quarter in Keynsham

Plans for an off-licence in a retirement village have been approved, despite concerns over anti-social behaviour.

Bath and North East Somerset Council have granted a new branch of One Stop at Keynsham's Chocolate Quarter, on the site of the former Cadbury's factory.

St Monica Trust, which runs the retirement village, backed the plans.

A trust spokesperson said the shop will "bring closer integration" between retirees and private residents.

The new off-licence, which will be located near a school and a children's playground, would create 10-13 jobs in the area.

There is currently not a shop in this part of the town, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

But in a letter of objection to the shop's alcohol licence, local resident Julie Coleman said: "My concern is that youths may gather and make themselves a nuisance whilst gathering, also causing noise and litter.

"This is apparent on the local high street from late afternoon onwards."

'Peace undermined'

Another resident, Caron Mills, added: "Selling alcohol will act as a magnet, attracting young adults from other parts of Keynsham.

"There is seating in the area outside the shop which will be an inducement to stay put and consume the alcohol without moving on."

"The relative calm and peace [St Monica's residents] experience in the current environment would be compromised."

Simon Lexton of the St Monica Trust said: "Since the development opened as a retirement village in 2017, our residents have petitioned us for a shop on-site, including the provision of selling alcohol.

One Stop licensing manager Hardish Purewal said: "We feel incredibly privileged to be a part of this neighbourhood. It's absolutely beautiful."

She added that alcohol sales were a "very small but important part of the overall business" and staff would be fully trained and equipped with body-worn cameras and CCTV on-site.

The One Stop hopes to open in May.