New fears about noise, anti-social behaviour and crime have been raised in a popular Ribble Valley village, where a fish-and-chip shop wants a licence to sell alcohol with home deliveries.

Daniel Stevenson, owner of The Friary at King Street in Whalley, is asking Ribble Valley Council for a licence to sell alcohol with home food deliveries.

The number of existing licensed premises in Whalley, along with reported disturbances and other alleged issues, is already a concern for some people and councillors there. Ribble Valley Council has held various meetings in recent years and produced a report about the number of licensed cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs in Whalley, called a cumulative impact assessment.

Police have suggested a series of conditions be imposed, if borough councillors approve The Friary’s licence for alcohol with home food deliveries. They say no alcohol should be delivered to anyone who looks under 25, unless they have proper ID. No deliveries should be made to people in parks or street locations, and fish shop staff and delivery drivers must receive trading standards training from a website.

Ribble Valley Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee is looking at the application this week. A report reminds councillors that licensing objectives are the prevention of crime, disorder and nuisance, protecting public safety and protecting children from harm.

Mr Stevenson states he wants to sell alcohol from 4pm to 10pm, seven days a week. The takeaway, which includes Chinese meals, is currently open at lunchtimes and evenings through the week, closing at 9pm. It has longer hours on Fridays and Saturdays, and shorter times on Sundays.

Mr Stevenson states: “We are aware of the CIA [cumulative impact assessment] in force in Whalley. We feel that by only having alcohol for sale as part of our home delivery service, we are only encouraging consumption at home with food.

“Consumption at home will prevent crime and disorder. We will ensure our delivery drivers operate with common sense and refuse the sale of alcohol if the customer appears inebriated.

“We only intend to sell alcohol up to our last delivery time slot of 9pm. So consumption  will be at a reasonable time to prevent public nuisance. We will ensure our delivery drivers operate a Challenge 25 age policy. If sufficient ID is not produced, the sale will be refused and a refund issued.”

But some objectors have contacted Ribble Valley Council. The licensing report has removed their individual names.

One believes the police ideas seem ‘pragmatic and proportionate’. But then adds: “They don’t address, however, the ongoing alcohol-related issues, anti-social behaviour that is prevalent in Whalley and the proliferation of alcohol-licensed activity.

“I am surprised the police and Ribble Valley Council are considering supporting another licensed premises, taking into account the well-documented issues and the impact assessment.

“I fail to see why a fish-and-chip shop and Chinese takeaway needs this licence. No other takeaways have one or need one. If this was granted, what would prevent similar applications from others? Granting further alcohol premises would undermine the conclusions of the council’s cumulative impact assessment.”

Another objector has written: “The cumulative impact report highlighted that Whalley has, by far, the highest levels of anti-social behaviour in the Ribble Valley, with alcohol a key issue. Even The Friary has posted their experience of anti-social behaviour in and around their premises on social media. I am at a loss why they wish to contribute to these issues.

“There are already two existing off-licences, the Spar and Co-op, selling alcohol until 10pm or 10.30pm. So I can’t understand why another off-licence is required. There are also off-licences in Billington, Barrow, Barrow Brook and Clitheroe, including the 24-hour garage on Whalley Road. Also the [proposed] off-licence hours exceed their opening hours by one hour each night. Why?”

The letter also questions whether young takeaway staff or delivery drivers will be able to fully check people’s ages and the system will be open to abuse.

Another states: “The applicant says home delivery staff will not allow alcohol sales if the customer appears inebriated. This is a vague, unhelpful term. It will be difficult for delivery staff to refuse a sale when alone on the doorstep with such a customer.”

The objector is also worried about licensing hours being extended in future. They say: “In the past, it has been possible for licensed hours to be extended once premises have a licence. This happened with The Aviary, previously Brady’s and the Conservative Club. And Rio’s [Rendezvous]. now called Alta, has also had its hours extended.”

The licensing meeting is on Thursday, November 16, at 10am.