Chepstow shop granted alcohol licence

A new off-licence in Chepstow town centre has been given permission to sell alcohol seven days a week.

Chepstow Store in Beaufort Square will be open to the public, and able to supply alcohol, between 6am and midnight.

Monmouthshire County Council’s licensing committee approved the premises licence application from owner Alpesh Patel on Tuesday.

Gwent Police has required that CCTV cameras are installed inside and outside the premises and remain operational during opening hours.

Customers who seem younger than 21 years of age will be asked to provide identification before any alcohol is handed over.

Staff will also be instructed not to serve anyone behaving in a drunk or disorderly manner.

The premises at the top of St Mary’s Street has been vacant since the Merlin recruitment agency relocated its offices to Bank Street.

Objectors claimed another convenience store in the area could exacerbate ongoing problems with litter and traffic using the pedestrianised St Mary’s Street nearby.

The committee said such matters concerned Gwent Police, and not the licensing committee.

Labour councillor Tony Easson raised concerns about the shop’s long hours given the ‘busy’ night-time economy in the town centre, adding that he was ‘surprised’ that the police had not objected.

But Conservative councillor Jane Pratt said: “I feel we should be supporting any business that is opening in our high streets as our high streets are very difficult trading environments at the moment.

“Chepstow is a very characterful place and I think we should be supporting traders in every way.”

Conservative councillor Brian Strong added: “We are confident that the conditions suggested by the police wil assist in running the premises safely. This will ensure that empty premises are put back into use.”