В центре Ливерпуля открылся круглосуточный магазин Spar Central, несмотря на опасения за безопасность сотрудников

New shop in 'busiest area of Liverpool' despite fears it will leave workers 'less safe' Spar Central is to take over the vacant former Holland and Barratt unit on Whitechapel A new 24-hour convenience store in the “busiest area of Liverpool” has got the go-ahead to open amid fears it will make life for other shop workers “less safe.” Spar Central is to take over the vacant former Holland and Barratt unit on Whitechapel in the autumn after receiving the go-ahead from Liverpool Council. This comes despite concerns being raised by another business owner about the potential for anti-social behaviour in the area with the introduction of a late night premises licence. Saleh Al Hathrie, who runs Shop & Go opposite from the new venture, said he had witnessed people being “aggressive” and saw a number of street drinkers in Whitechapel and feared the issue could be exacerbated. Images obtained by the ECHO from Mr Al Hathrie’s shop show how a worker was targeted by a member of the public in the business in June. The customer appears to throw a punch and attempts to grab the face of a man working behind the counter inside. Ian Rushton, licensing agent on behalf of applicant Farhaan Raja, said the business was fully aware of Mr Al Hathrie’s concerns but Merseyside Police had not objected to the plans. The new store will sell alcohol 24 hours a day with terms agreed with the force to ensure its beer cave and all other alcohol displays shall be capable of being secured against customer access. Between the hours of 10pm and 5am each day, customer access to the beer cave and all other alcohol displays shall only be permitted by a member of staff. Mr Rushton said a 15-year lease had been secured for the building and alcohol sales would represent around 15% of the business’ trade. The licensing agent said “extremely positive dialogue” had been held with Merseyside Police’s licensing team regarding the application and they had sought to engage with Mr Al Hathrie. Addressing the committee, the Shop & Go director said his concerns were not borne out of being a competitor but how his staff had been “violently assaulted and racially abused". He told a licensing and gambling sub-committee how his shop operates 24 hours a day, leaving colleagues “exposed to aggression or anti-social behaviour". He said the assault recorded on CCTV “shows the seriousness of risks for people working in this area". Mr Rushton said “nobody can hide from the fact there will be issues in the city centre” but said this was not a reason for the committee to reject the application. Mr Raja told members he had chosen to open the general store as it was the “busiest area” of the city centre. Door staff will be used during peak periods, Mr Rushton confirmed, with Mr Raja himself formerly Security Industry Authority registered. The committee granted the application as applied for.