Sheffield Council says yes to third off licence in West Street

At a meeting yesterday, Alsan Go Local at 218 West Street was given a licence to sell alcohol from 9am to 3am.

The decision was made despite concerns from nearby residents about the amount of street drinking in West Street, and the problems it can cause.

They say habitual street drinkers use the area as a toilet, litter bin, battle ground and place to take drugs and drink cheap booze.

Coun Douglas Johnson, who represents the city ward and spoke at yesterday’s meeting, said: “The residents affected are going to be really disappointed.

“We can be sure that West Street has reached saturation point in terms of the amount of alcohol-related activities going off there.

“It’s disappointing that the committee couldn’t give fuller consideration to the views of the residents and the police.”

Earlier this week The Star reported the concerns of West Street residents and businesses, who said ‘enough was enough’ when it came to street drinking.

Peter Sephton, chairman of Sheffield City Centre Residents’ Action Group, said the area around West Street and Devonshire Green had become ‘no-go’ at times.

Coun Johnson said more needed to be done to tackle the issue, and a cumulative impact assessment on licensed premises in West Street was ‘very definitely needed’.

He added: “We will be pushing for it. It’s not something that has been agreed and we will have to ask for it, but we need it as soon as possible.

“There is nothing to stop further off licenses opening up at the moment.”

Among those to object to the application were the residents group, which included anecdotal and photographic evidence of the problem, Sheffield Drug and Alcohol/Domestic Abuse Coordination Team, and several residents who live near the off licence.