August 8, 2016 4.48 pm This story is over 91 months old

Controversial all-day alcohol sales at Lincoln petrol station approved

A supermarket in Lincoln will be able to sell alcohol at its petrol station 24 hours a day, seven days a week after councillors granted the application. Morrisons applied to City of Lincoln Council to allow its petrol station off Tritton Road to stay open all day, every day, and to be able to sell alcohol…
Morrisons on Tritton Road in Lincoln. Photo: Google Street View

A supermarket in Lincoln will be able to sell alcohol at its petrol station 24 hours a day, seven days a week after councillors granted the application.

Morrisons applied to City of Lincoln Council to allow its petrol station off Tritton Road to stay open all day, every day, and to be able to sell alcohol to customers at all times.

A meeting of the sub-licensing committee was held on August 3, with deliberations carrying on following the initial discussion.

The council in the end imposed a number of conditions on Morrisons as part of the approval.

The petrol station will be monitored for primary use, ensuring that it stays a petrol station that also sells groceries rather than a shop that sells petrol.

Councillors insisted that a panic alarm be fitted, and the store will have to be staffed by at least two people at all times.

A refusal log must also be kept for the sale of alcohol, which will be monitored by police.

Lincoln students had hit out at the proposals, claiming that they would be targeted and blamed for a potential rise in anti-social behaviour.

Sammi Storey, President of the University of Lincoln’s Students’ Union, said: “As a team of elected student leaders we must consider that students have an unfair and unfounded reputation for causing unrest in the city; we feel it would be unfair to potentially open the door to criticising students further regarding this issue, especially when the likelihood is that, regardless of whether or not students are to blame, the spotlight will fall on them.”

Lincolnshire Police also criticised the plans, believing it could lead to an increase in crime in the city centre.

PC Laura Magson previously said: “This is irresponsible retailing and indicates a disregard towards those who are working towards educating young persons as to the dangers and risks associated with the consumption of alcohol.

“Students are deemed to be a vulnerable proportion of the city’s population and a great deal of effort is undertaken to promote responsible drinking.”