A SCHOOL is objecting to plans for a new convenience store to be allowed to sell alcohol.
Last week a planning application was approved for a new Spar store on Wrexham Road, Mold, on the site of the former Morris Garage.
On Thursday a premises licence application will go before Flintshire Council’s licensing sub-committee for alcohol to be on sale at the venue from 6am to 11pm.
However, a condition of the planning approval was for the opening hours to be restricted to 7am to 9pm, Mondays to Saturdays and 7am to 4pm on Sundays and bank holidays.
The application has attracted opposition from residents, community leaders and the Alun School, Mold.
Headteacher Ashley Jones said the school has ‘significant concerns’ about the proposed new development including alcohol being on sale.
In a letter to Flintshire Council he writes: “We have over 400 students in our sixth form, the majority under the age of 18 but with a sizeable minority over the age of 18.
“We can anticipate a major difficulty in having those young people with easy access to a store selling alcohol while they are gathered together in large groups, for example on the way home at the end of a school day.
“Those who are underage may be tempted to try making purchases themselves or, alternatively, ask those over the age of 18 to purchase on their behalf.”
Cllr Haydn Bateman has also objected to the proposed hours and has requested they are restricted.
Nearby residents have also complained, with about 50 people signing a petition against the proposal and planned hours alcohol would be sold. Alcohol cannot be consumed on the premises under the terms of the application.
North Wales Police has not objected to the licensing application but has requested conditions are imposed including the premises adopting a Challenge 25 policy for selling alcohol and a digital, colour hard disc CCTV system being in place which will see recordings kept for a minimum of 28 days.
In documents included with the meeting agenda, the company makes clear it plans to impose measures to help address the concerns raised.
A spokesman writes: “The company will ensure investment and management of the premises to ensure the premises trades within the law and provide what is best for staff, customers and other visitors to the store.”
It states alcohol is not served to anyone who appears to be under the influence of alcohol and it will not be knowingly sold to anyone under age.
A scheme such as Challenge 25 would be implemented as well as other measures and CCTV images will be retained and made available to police on request.