Go-ahead for Lancaster service station off-licence despite ‘disturbance’ fear
A petrol station and convenience store will be allowed to sell alcohol despite concerns over anti-social behaviour, safety and drink driving.
The Bowling Green Service Station on Scotforth Road, Lancaster, has been granted an off-premises licence by Lancaster City Council to sell alcohol, a council licensing officer said this week.
Retail company Ascona, which runs petrol stations with convenience stores nationwide, was behind the licence application.
Lancaster City Council’s licensing sub-committee has granted approval at its latest meeting.
Ascona said Alison Anderton will be the Scotforth Road premises supervisor.
In its application, the company stated: “This premises is a well-established filling station and forecourt with a convenience store. These have been operated by the applicant for several years without any known complaints, problems or issues.
“The convenience store is a valuable resource for local people. All types of products are sold and alcohol is not the intended focus. Alcohol sales will have a limited impact on the area because local people are expected to generally buy alcohol with other products.”
Ascona said CCTV cameras, an electronic refusals register and till prompts will be used to prevent any problems and ‘robust conditions’ were included in the application. Opening hours at the service station are from 6am to 11pm, and it wanted to sell alcohol at those same times.
A city council licensing officer this week said the conditions were accepted by the committee.
Two objection letters from residents had been sent to the council, in which concerns were raised including drink driving and road safety, particularly with the Scotforth service station being close to the main motorway network.
Their other worries included disturbance from night time sales of alcohol, as well as a possible increase in litter and anti-social behaviour.
They also said the surrounding area already has several licensed premises, including a pub, a Bargain Booze and a Booths supermarket.
A new padel sports facility nearby will attract families, young people and children, so allowing alcohol sales at the service station would be inappropriate, they felt.
However, the licensing committee believed the plans were acceptable and the licence was granted.