Police opposition overruled over Milton Keynes city centre kiosk’s high strength booze bid

The Point Kiosk, in Midsummer Boulevard, had applied to Milton Keynes Council to lift a ban on selling booze above six per cent, including wine and spirits, from the premises.

But Thames Valley Police objected, saying that problem drinkers tend to congregate around places where they can buy high-strength booze, causing problems.

Police opposition meant that a licensing sub committee was convened on Tuesday to decide the issue.

Licensing officer Gemma McCormack told the committee that “street drinkers who congregate outside of off licences, appear to target off licences who sell higher strength alcohol.

“We are therefore of the opinion that if the Point Kiosk is permitted to start selling higher strength alcohol, this will lead to an increase in reports of alcohol related anti-social behaviour, causing a further strain on Neighbourhood Police team.”

She told the committee that she did not think restrictions on the licence would be able to solve the issues, and maintained her opposition.

“Street drinking is an all-day issue,” she said. “The whole problem is around high strength, not the price.”

Applicants Jayantheesan Thirumurugarajah and Mohamed Kaldeed had held a licence to sell low strength alcohol at their newsagents since 2017 but the committee was told that they had not actually sold any because of a ban imposed by their landlord.

But that ban has now been lifted, the committee heard, so they wanted to be able to supply customers with what they wanted.

After the sub-committee of three councillors had deliberated in private, chairman Cllr Mick Legg (Lab, Bletchley West) announced the decision to allow the variation in the alcohol licence.

But Cllr Legg said the decision was “finely balanced” and the members had decided to stop the sale of high strength drinks after 8pm.

The committee also told the applicants that they must lock away any booze with an alcohol content of six per cent of more after that time.

Cllr Legg added that council officers would also be in “close contact” at regular intervals to “make sure that everything is working successfully and we wish you all luck.”