A SHOPKEEPER has successfully won a battle to allow his Colchester shop to sell alcohol and hot food 24 hours a day.

Sundaralingam Thirulogasanthar, the manager of Jan and Phil’s Store in Barrack Street, submitted an application earlier this year to vary the premises licence of the shop so it could sell alcohol at any time.

Previously, the shop – which is open from 6am until midnight from Monday to Friday – did not have a licence to sell alcohol between the hours of midnight and 6am, and did not have a licence to sell hot food and drink from 11pm until 5am.

Only four objections were made from residents, with none submitted by Essex Police or environmental protection.

One resident objected on the grounds the shop’s selling of alcohol after 11pm would increase anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Gazette:

They wrote: “I wish to strongly object to the proposed extension of hours for the sale of refreshments and/ or alcohol beyond the current hours.

“We, living in the very narrow residential street beside Jan and Phil's are always very negatively affected by any problems concerning unsocial or disruptive customers of late night trade.”

Colchester Council turned down the bid but Mr Thirulogasanthar appealed the decision.

A hearing then took place in Ipswich last month with Colchester Council listed in court papers as the defendant.

Magistrates went on to find in favour of Mr Thirulogasanthar, meaning his application to vary premises of his store will be granted.

Gazette:

Responding to the decision, a council spokesman said: “We have received notification to allow the appeal by Jan and Phil’s owners over a refusal to increase the hours of sale of alcohol.

“After careful consideration of the evidence, the licensing sub-committee decided sufficient cause had not been demonstrated to deviate from the council’s statement of licensing policy with regard to the sale of alcohol after midnight, but these concerns were not shared by the court.”

Mr Thirulogasanthar did not wish to make a statement on the matter when approached by the Gazette for comment.

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