UPDATE: Mixed feelings over Westbrook bottle store
The store is set to open it's doors in a few months at the Westbrook Boulevard centre
A liquor licence has been approved for a bottle store in Westbrook that is set to open on the doorstep of the local Methodist church despite outrage from the ward councillor and residents.
The notice of approval was published in The Mercury two weeks ago.
Registered as Westside Liquors, the store is set to open it’s doors in a few months at the Westbrook Boulevard centre in Strelitzia Place which is a little more than 30 metres away from the church that has been in the area for 70 years. The quiet area is also well known for it’s retirement village.
However, according to the liquor board, there are no bylaws in place that state a liquor outlet cannot open 500 metres away from a place of worship, however, the liquor licencing act states that applications for liquor outlets that are less than 500 metres from a school or religious organisation have to be carefully considered.
The 500-metre proximity policy was changed to around 79.8 metres last year after the matter was taken to court by the Checkers Group. The act has not yet been amended.
DA Ward 58 councillor Geoff Pullan said he was disturbed that he had not been consulted during the licence application process.
“I am the councillor where this outlet wants to operate. I am aggrieved that I was not consulted about the application.
“My understanding is that liquor applications should be considered by both the local ward councillor and the SAPS. We are the people who have to deal with problems after the fact.
“I have received many objections from residents and some objected directly to the KZN liquor board. The residents worry that crime will rise when people consume alcohol.”
Owned by Vish Govender, the renovations at the liquor outlet started at the beginning of the year and are almost complete.
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