A defunct food court is set to be replaced with a new convenience store in Reading town centre, despite concerns being raised about street drinking and safety.
The Food Court in Oxford Road was a short-lived restaurant and takeaway located opposite the Broad Street Mall.
Customers could choose food from three brands: Oodles Chinese, Tuk Tuk Pizza, and Burger Base.
But the venue was forced to close after the building was taken over by its owners in March.
The building has since been taken on by Singh Pal Molotr of Muskaan Enterprises.
The business applied to sell alcohol from 7am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays in an application to Reading Borough Council.
But concerns were raised about the impact another business selling alcohol could have on crime, street drinking and safety in the town centre.
Objecting to the application, Alexandra Novikova wrote: “I am concerned that granting a licence to sell alcohol will increase incidents of crime and disorder in the Oxford Road and Cheapside area.
“Central Reading is already known for issues relating to antisocial behaviour, particularly in the evenings and weekends.
“Police incident logs show frequent reports of disorder and alcohol-related disturbances within the town centre area.
“Granting another premises licence risks adding to cumulative impact, especially if alcohol is sold for consumption off the premises, which can contribute to street drinking and public nuisance.”
As well as that, she argued Muskaan Enterprises had failed to provide evidence demonstrating how it would prevent alcohol sales to underage drinkers and people who are already intoxicated.
Mrs Novikova also raised concerns about pedestrian safety, arguing that the pavement is already busy with people shopping and waiting for buses, and another business selling alcohol could add to the safety risk.
Because of her objections, a meeting of the council’s licensing applications sub-committee was held to make a decision.
Although it was initially understood that Muskaan Enterprises would be operating as a restaurant, Mr Molotr clarified that the business would operate as a convenience store during the meeting.
Marinder Kaur, the legal representative appointed by Mr Molotr offered to reduce the hours of operation at the meeting to 7am to 11pm Friday to Saturday and 7am to 10pm the rest of the week.
It was also clarified that any alcohol sold would have to be consumed off the premises.
Furthermore, no objections to the licence application were raised by Thames Valley Police and council licensing officers.
The sub-committee decided to grant the licence with the reduced hours proposed at the meeting on Thursday, December 11.
The decision was made by councillors Paul Woodward (Labour, Church), Ama Asare (Labour, Thames) and Glenn Dennis (Labour, Kentwood).
