By John Lucas

A shop in York Place has been given a second chance by magistrates after the owners agreed to abide by a set of strict conditions on the alcohol licence.

B&W Stores had its licence revoked in August 2013 because it persistently sold high-strength alcohol to street drinkers who then caused havoc in the area.

The new conditions include a ban on alcohol advertising, no sale of single cans of beer or cider, and no sale of beer or cider over 6%ABV.

Licensing panel chairwoman Councillor Lizzie Deane said: "The licence holder has learned a lesson, apologised for what happened and has finally taken steps to resolve the problems, and the tough conditions imposed will ensure that continues.”

The complaint was brought by the London Road Local Area Action Team (LAT).

Anti-social behaviour in York Place and around St Peter’s Church was highlighted by the LAT as caused by street drinkers buying alcohol from the shop.

St Peter's and North Laine Councillor Ian Davey and Andy Winter, chief executive of the Brighton Housing Trust backed the LAT.

Mr Winter said he often witnessed fights and other incidents from his office overlooking York Place.

He stated he had not been able to speak to the shop’s licence holder, Wahid Ibrahim, because he was never there.

Sussex Police said they had warned Mr Ibrahim several times and pointed out it was illegal to sell alcohol to inebriated people.

Under age sales

The shop also failed four underage test purchases, including one where the person making it admitted to being 16 years old but was served anyway.

However, B&W Stores was able to continue trading after making an appeal and had already made many of the changes now attached to the licence. 

At an LAT meeting in February Mr Ibrahim said: “We have done everything possible to put into place extremely tight policies and we feel the problems have been reduced.”

After the judgement Rev Philip Wells, LAT chairman, said: "We have worked very hard to get a resolution that is good for the area, all the traders and also for the vulnerable people concerned.

“People are saying that the situation in York Place has been transformed."

Following the successful appeal Mr Ibrahim was not available for comment.