A CONVENIENCE store in Hatfield has been given permission to sell alcohol around the clock.

Mace Store, at Bishops Rise Service Station, was granted the 24-hour booze licence by a Welwyn Hatfield Council licensing sub-committee during a hearing on Thursday.

The store, which already operates 24 hours a day, will now be allowed to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, as well as late night refreshments – hot food and beverages.

Although the council accepted five written presentations from residents concerned about potential litter, noise nuisance and drunken behaviour, there was, crucially, no objection by police.

Council officers also confirmed they had not received a complaint about the store in the past four years.

In the Park Lounge at Campus West, WGC, applicant Chris Mitchener of Licensing Solutions, representing store owner Kandiah Sucindran, said: “The representations can’t be dealt with on the basis of what might happen in the future.

“The police are not objecting to this application, and already regularly stop by during the night anyway as part of their regular calls.

“The site already trades 24 hours a day and will continue to do so.”

The sub-committee – councillors John Nicholls, Irene Dean, and Tony Skottowe – approved the application on the conditions that the store fitted high quality recording CCTV equipment, put out bins to prevent litter from building up, and ensured all staff received alcohol sales training every six months.