Off-licence bid is opposed by flat residents

A PROPOSED 24-hour off-licence for the city centre is facing opposition.

Residents living at apartment block Excelsior fear an off-licence opening in the ground floor of their building would not create the right impression for visitors and would promote 24-hour drinking.

Matthew Stead, from Fforestfach, who rents out an apartment in the building, said many residents were against the application.

"I think it is terrible," he said. "I have spoken to the people who live there and they are not happy.

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"They have put up a poster about it looking for support."

Erkan Tasci has applied for a premises licence for the space known as Lesgo Express Limited, Unit 3 at the Princess Way building, to be able to sell alcohol for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A poster outlining the plan has been placed on the window of the building.

The empty ground floor also has a sign saying shop/office/cafe to let.

Mr Stead said if the 24-hour licence was granted it would give the wrong impression of the city. "They are saying they want to cut down on the people drinking and if this went there they would be contradicting themselves," he said.

"A cafe or restaurant would suit it nicely but I can't understand a 24-hour off-licence. It is right opposite the National Waterfront Museum. I don't think it would be a good idea."

He said he did not see the demand for it. "There are enough places for people to get drink," he said. "You have Tesco's, Sainsbury's and other off-licences on high street. I can't see the need."

He added: "It is not good for tourism for people to see this when coming into the city."

Castle councillor Sybil Crouch said she has registered an objection.

"As soon as we saw the application we recognised the impact it would have on the residents and on general safety," she said.

The deadline for representations on the application was last Friday.

No date has currently been set for the licensing meeting where the application will be discussed by councillors.