Plans approved for new ‘premium alcohol shop’ opposite Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane football ground

Sheffield Council’s licensing sub-committee gave a green light to business owners for a shop called Beer Dog on a vacant site at 108 Charlotte Road to sell craft beers, local ales, wine, premium spirits and, in time, artisanal food.

Andy Chilton, area manager, said it will add to their current businesses which include the Ranmoor Castle in Fulwood.

He said: “Overall we see this as opportunity as an exciting one to bring a vacant business premises back into use and expand the existing businesses we operate to support the agility of the local community.”

He said they will have a number of measures in place to prevent disruption to local residents including staff training, CCTV and dispersal procedures to prevent customers gathering outside.

Mr Chilton added: “We are both Sheffield residents and understand the proximity of the premises to residential properties as in the case with other businesses. We will manage the premises to encourage both our staff and customers are respectful to neighbours when entering and leaving the premises.”

The opening hours will be 7am to midnight on all days of the week except Friday and Saturday, when it will be open until 1am.

Ahead of the committee meeting today, there were two written objections and a petition with more than 300 signatures raising concerns about anti-social behaviour and there being businesses in the area offering similar.

Jagmeet Guraya, objector, said: “We as a business provide alcohol by retail directly across from this property, this will affect our business financially and will add to more anti-social behaviour in the area as they intend to open until 1am.

“This area is residential which is highly populated with students and Beer Dog is positioned directly across from Bramall Lane stadium…I believe there is sufficient business offering the same products and services as Beer Dog intends to provide.”

Examples given of nearby shops were Go Local Extra, Premier Store and Asda.

But Beer Dog said it is not their intention to directly compete with these businesses as they will sell more expensive, premium alcohol.