Liverpool Approves New 24-Hour Convenience Store Amid Safety Concerns

A new 24-hour convenience store by the Spar chain has been approved for opening in Liverpool's Whitechapel area, which is noted as the city's busiest location. The decision was made by Liverpool City Council's licensing and gambling sub-committee.

The store will occupy the former Holland & Barrett premises and is expected to begin operations in the autumn. Local shop owner Saleh Al Hathrie expressed concerns about safety, citing previous incidents of aggression and violence against his staff, including a recent attack captured on CCTV.

Despite these concerns, the licensing agent for the new store indicated that Merseyside Police had not raised objections to the application. The store will sell alcohol around the clock, with specific measures in place to ensure supervision during late-night hours. The owner of the new store emphasized the importance of the location and plans to employ door staff during busy times.