Spalding store applying for alcohol licence

A town centre convenience store is hoping to earn an alcohol licence.

The Nida Express on Winsover Road, Spalding, will discover whether or not it has been successful with its bid when its application goes before councillors tomorrow (Friday).

Owner Helmat Hilmi has seen two recent attempts for short-time licences turned down by South Holland District Council.

Now the licensing committee will meet to discuss his application to sell alcohol from the store.

Police have have previously objected to an alcohol application at the site.

A representation from Lincolnshire Police regarding this request has been submitted, but is has been restricted on official council paperwork.

The application is to sell alcohol from the premises during its opening hours.

At present the Nida Express trades between 6am and midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and 6am to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Mr Hilmi describes his store in the application as a ‘small European convenience store situated in a parade of shops on a main road, in a mainly commercial area, approximately a quarter-of-a-mile south west of the town centre’.

He adds: “It has one main customer area on the ground floor with a store room at the rear.”

Last month councillors rejected Mr Hilmi’s application for two temporary licences. They stated: “Having considered the objection, the panel agree that there is a concern relating to the licensing objectives of crime and disorder, public safety and public nuisance.”