A corner shop in Llantwit Major will be allowed to extend its opening hours despite concerns from local councillors about anti-social behaviour.
Vale Council’s licensing sub committee members approved a licensing application on Friday for The Corner Shop on Crawshay Drive to stay open two hours later, from 9pm to 11pm.
The owner of the shop, Santosh Dachepalli, said the extended opening hours were requested by customers who work late and wanted more time to be able to shop.
However, local councillors said there have been issues with crime associated with the area in the past.
Llantwit First Independent member for the town, Cllr Jayne Norman, said there have been a “tremendous amount of complaints about anti-social behaviour” and worried the extended opening hours would encourage drinking outside the shop.
She added: “The biggest problem is young people loitering…with alcohol outside the shop.”
Another Llantwit First Independent councillor for the area, Cllr Sally Hanks, wrote to the local authority to say: “Some years ago we had a lot of problems in this area, involving police and many issues."
“Local residents suffered greatly. If a licence was granted it would increase crime and disorder, could be a public nuisance, a threat to public safety and involve young adults in a detrimental way.”
Cllr Gwyn John also raised concerns about the licensing application, writing to the council that it would “encroach on all four of the licensing objectives”.
South Wales Police originally made a representation to Vale Council about the licensing application, but this was later withdrawn after they agreed a number of conditions with the applicant.
Mr Dachepalli said he has experience in running shops and garages that open until late in the night and that during the six years of running the Llantwit Major shop, he has had zero incidents to contend with.
He added: “I can handle any situation in an effective way because I have experience in dealing with situations where people come in the last minute or busy periods…or some people trying to create problems. I know how to deal with them.”
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