Glasgow Retail Park Denies B&M the Green Light for Alcohol Sales.
In a recent decision, the Glasgow Licensing Board has denied a B&M store, located in a retail park on Helen Street, the permission to sell alcoholic beverages. This decision stems from concerns regarding the potential impact on public health and the increased accessibility to alcohol in an area already facing significant challenges.
Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) was instrumental in opposing B&M’s application, as the surrounding area has been classified as one with “overprovision” of alcohol. An HSCP spokesperson highlighted that the neighborhood falls within the top 10% of Scotland’s most deprived areas and faces a rate of alcohol-related hospitalizations nearly double the national average.
Richard Williams, B&M’s representative, argued that customers visiting the retail park come from a vast geographical area, thus diluting the potential impact on the local community. However, the Licensing Board disagreed, with a majority of seven out of nine members voting against the proposal, asserting that it went against the objectives of safeguarding and promoting public health.
HSCP further emphasized that the retail park and its surroundings already had ample alcohol provision and that limiting access in this specific area was crucial. The organization also noted a significant demand for alcohol and drug recovery services, with over 1,000 new referrals in 2022, including the nearby Govan and Linthouse districts.
The HSCP spokesperson expressed ongoing concerns about the number of off-licence establishments, particularly in areas most affected by alcohol-related issues. She pointed out that the most deprived communities suffer the consequences of alcohol abuse eight times more than their least deprived counterparts.
In defense of B&M, Mr. Williams mentioned that the store had switched locations with ALDI within the retail park a year ago, and ALDI had already obtained an alcohol license. He also stated that customers often travel significant distances to shop at B&M stores, making it an oversimplification to link the effects of a license to the immediate locality.
Despite the rejection, Mr. Williams emphasized that B&M does not actively promote alcohol sales, and it only serves as an additional offering alongside their food products. He argued that if customers cannot purchase alcohol at B&M, they would likely go to nearby Asda or ALDI.
Nevertheless, the HSCP spokesperson maintained that denying the license maintains a safe shopping environment, especially for those in recovery from alcohol addiction. She also noted that individuals in recovery are currently sharing maps to help each other avoid areas where alcohol is readily available to minimize the risk of triggering relapses.
In conclusion, the Glasgow Licensing Board’s decision to reject B&M’s alcohol sales application is rooted in concerns over public health and the ongoing challenges faced by the local community.
