Store secures drink licence despite rival's opposition

A SHOP in South Queensferry has been granted the right to sell alcohol despite opposition from convenience store chain Scotmid.

Sunshine Supermarket, on Scotstoun Grove, had applied to provide off-sales as well as its existing groceries.

Representatives of Scotmid said that there were already three licensed premises within a 500-metre area, as well as a nearby Tesco supermarket.

They said there was concern that another licence would damage efforts that the store had made to counter the potential for antisocial behaviour.

However, Alistair Macdonald, representing Sunshine Supermarket owner Ashfaq Hussain Mirza said: "What Scotmid are asking for is to maintain their monopoly. They have a monopoly and they want to keep that monopoly."

He said Mr Mirza needed a licence to maintain the viability of his store.

Licensing leader Marjorie Thomas said: "I am sure that the LSOs (licensing standards officers] and police will keep a check on any impact of this."