A Boston convenience store has been granted permission to sell alcohol, despite significant concerns raised by Lincolnshire Police regarding anti-social behaviour in the area. According to a report from Lincolnshire Live, the licensing sub-committee of Boston Borough Council approved the application for Pilgrim’s Local, located in the town's Market Place, during a meeting held on April 24.
The store's applicant, Thivaiyan Arulananthapillai, initially sought a license to sell alcohol from 8am to 11pm every day. However, after discussions, these hours were amended. Police representatives highlighted that Market Place has been identified as a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, with alcohol consumption being a contributing factor. The area is currently under a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which restricts drinking in designated parts of the town centre.
Peter Hunn, Boston's safer communities manager for operations, expressed his concerns during the meeting. He welcomed the applicant's commitment to the licensing conditions but stressed the need for a community impact zone in the town centre to mitigate potential issues related to street drinking. Hunn noted that the introduction of more off-licences could exacerbate existing problems, saying, "I have no issue at all about convenience stores and bringing the appropriate shops into Boston town centre – but for me, the alcohol selling of that, in particular, where there’s reference to about 30 to 40 per cent of the sales to be alcohol, does raise concerns for me."
The police's recommendation to refuse the application was based on the challenges they currently face in enforcing the PSPO, as resources are already stretched thin. After deliberating privately, the sub-committee ultimately decided to grant the license, despite the objections.
A spokesperson for the licensing sub-committee shared that the applicant had demonstrated experience in managing licensed premises elsewhere and had made efforts to address the police's concerns by amending his application. The applicant also volunteered additional changes during the hearing, which seemed to have influenced the committee's decision.
As the community awaits the impact of this new license on the area, residents may wonder how it will affect the ongoing efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour in Boston's town centre. This decision has certainly sparked a conversation about balancing the needs of local businesses with community safety.
As Boston navigates this change, it will be interesting to see how residents feel about the new alcohol sales and its potential effects on the town's atmosphere.