A mystery over the nature of an upcoming business that was called ‘Sip and Vape in Caversham has been solved.
Last month, the business owner Paramjeet Singh Shdana submitted an application to sell alcohol from the former Dream Doors furniture store in Donkin Hill.
He asked to sell alcohol from 7am to 11pm each day.
The name of the business led to some confusion about how it would operate, whether it would be a convenience store or a cafe bar.
Two neighbours objected to the application due to a lack of clarity on the nature of the business and anti-social behaviour concerns.
One of them, Elena Shishkanova, stated: “Local residents do not have clear information regarding the exact nature of this business, whether it will
operate primarily as a convenience store, vape shop, cafe, takeaway, or off-licence.
“This lack of clarity creates additional concern regarding the long-term impact on the area and the possibility of increased late-evening activity.
Fellow neighbour Louise Black wrote: “The site is positioned in a quiet residential area occupied by families.
“Similar establishments in the immediate area end at 10pm.
“In granting a licence beyond others closing, there is a significant risk the retailer will attract trade from outside the community.
“There is also an increased risk of antisocial behaviour which would impact residents’ enjoyment and feeling of safety in their homes.”
The objections triggered a Reading Borough Council licensing applications sub-committee meeting.
Councillor Paul Woodward (Labour, Church), chair of the committee, questioned whether it would operate as a store with a cafe like Mediterranean countries such as Italy and Spain, which have seating for drinking and smoking.
Surendra Panchal, representing Mr Singh Shdana made it clear that the business will be an off-licence shop selling convenience products, groceries, alcohol and legal reusable vape products.
He said: “This isn’t an on-licence, it’s an off-licence.”
Cllr Woodward attempted to relay the concerns of the objectors to the applicants.
He said: “It’s a shame we don’t have objectors in person; we have to speak for them.”
“I think the objectors got the wrong end of the stick like I did. Can you answer the concerns about cans and bottles being strewn about?”
Mr Panchal said staff would be rigorously trained to deal with anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Mohammed Ayub (Labour, Abbey) asked how many staff would work there.
Mr Panchal replied: “This will be a family-run business by Mr Singh Shdana and his son, with two employed staff, so in total there will be four people working there.”
He also clarified that applying to sell alcohol until 11pm gives the business operational flexibility to trade at that time if there is a need.
The Co-op stores in Henley Road and Star Road both close at 10pm.
After it was made clear that the business would operate as a convenience store, the committee decided to approve the application.
Notably, Mr Singh Shdana agreed to change the operating name of the business to avoid confusion.
Furthermore, a condition of the approval was that no drinking on site would be allowed.
The decision to grant the licence was made by cllrs Woodward, Ayub and David Clarke (Green, Thames) today (Wednesday, July 8).
