Plans to turn a hair salon in Spalding’s Winsover Road into licensed premises have been submitted to South Holland District Council.
The application – which has been made by Zarid Zane Limalia, trading as VIP Alcohol – will now be heard by the council.
They want permission to sell alcohol – for consumption off the premises only – seven days a week between 8am and 10pm at the shop which is currently trading as Global Image hair salon.
The application is the latest in a string of attempts by businesses in Winsover Road to become licensed premises.
Last week Mini Poli – formerly China City restaurant – withdrew their application to sell alcohol at their Winsover Road premises.
Applicant Frahang Amin Mohammed wanted permission to sell alcohol from 10am to 9.30pm seven days a week.
It was their second attempt at an application after a previous submission was thrown out by the council’s panel of the licensing committee due to a link between the previous applicant and criminality.
The council is also due to consider next month the introduction of a policy to limit the number of new premises licences granted in Spalding.
Councillors have been briefed on progress towards addressing the “cumulative impact” of a large number of licensed premises within a specific area – Winsover Road is seen as one area of interest.
A cumulative impact policy – which makes a presumption of denial of applications – was last considered in 2013 but independent experts said there was insufficient evidence to support one.
Licensing portfolio holder Coun Malcolm Chandler said: “The position of Lincolnshire Police was likely to be less supportive of a cumulative impact policy as it had been in the past due to a likely reduction in reported incidents.”
Spalding has seen several instances of crime in off-licences in recent months but Sgt Kim Enderby, of Lincolnshire Police’s alcohol licensing team, said: “A cumulative impact zone is linked to anti-social behaviour rather than criminal activity.
“It is often difficult to link alcohol-related anti-social behaviour with sales from particular off-licences.”
Two other nearby Spalding businesses – Baltic and Winsover – have recently had their premises licences revoked.
Raids on both stores by Lincolnshire Police’s alcohol licensing team uncovered thousands of illegal and counterfeit cigarettes on sale.
Trader Karwan Ahmad appealed both revocations, enabling him to carry on selling alcohol until the hearings came to court.
He dropped the Baltic appeal on August 3 – the day before the hearing – and again waited until the last minute before deciding against appealing the Winsover decision on August 17.
Ahmad will be liable for the council’s costs in respect of both appeals.
As previously reported, The Voice understands that Winsover will be closing shortly ahead of demolition as part of expansion plans for the neighbouring Aldi store.
