Licensing chair’s praise for village store owner

Oct 28 2011 by Kaiya Marjoribanks, Stirling Observer Friday

A GARGUNNOCK shop owner has been praised for listening to the concerns of neighbours.

Carol Ferguson, owner of Gargunnock Village Store at 1 Main Street, applied to Stirling District Licensing Board to be allowed to sell alcohol in the shop until 10pm.

She also applied for a slight increase in the shop’s alcohol display area to comply with recent refurbishment work, which was granted.

However, several neighbours objected to the extension of hours over concerns it would create late night noise and exacerbate parking difficulties in the area.

In a written objection, local resident David King said: “The premises are situated directly opposite sheltered housing occupied by elderly and infirm residents.

“Within 10 metres of the premises there is a bar which also possesses a licence to supply off sales until 10pm. It is felt that in a village of this size there is no need to have another off sales facility if we do not wish to encourage the sale and consumption of alcohol.”

Mrs Ferguson told the licensing board, however: “The increase until 10pm is purely for one-off events at the store.

“We do want to work with the community as much as we can and understand their concerns regarding the extension of opening hours. We have no intention of increasing opening hours as routine.”

Mr King told the board: “I live opposite the premises and greatly value the service we get from it.

“But the premises are also directly opposite sheltered housing and there are elderly and severely disabled people living in the housing. To grant opening hours until late in the evening would I feel be a great disturbance to some people.

“Carol has said she only wants to open the store later on an occasional basis. If that’s the case I don’t believe people would have much objection. I’m fairly certain that would be acceptable to other neighbours.”

Agreed

Mrs Ferguson having agreed she would be happy instead to apply for an occasional extension to hours if and when the need arose, she withdrew her application.

Central Scotland had said they had received no reports about parking problems or disturbances in the area.

Licensing board chairman Councillor Graham Reed told Mrs Ferguson: “It is good to see you working well within your community.

“I wish all licence holders could do the same.

“We are always keen to see good relationships within communities.”