Shell garage at Tothill services granted 24-hour liquor licence

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has confirmed the licence application was granted on August 25, permitting Shell UK Oil Products Ltd to sell alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the Shell garage, at Tothill services. Previously, the garage did not have a licence to sell alcohol.
Chairman of Burghclere Parish Council, Chris Saint, had previously pointed out the A34 was a busy dual carriageway that carried a lot of traffic, that made it, he said, effectively a motorway, while pointing out alcohol was banned from sale on motorways.
“It seems to be a national concern. I read something in one of the national papers, one or two other people were raising the same queries, it’s not just a local thing,” said Mr Saint.
Motorists he continued, might be tempted to buy alcohol from the garage before drinking it in their car, then driving off: “They would be a bit mad, but you never know,” he said.
On a positive note, Burghclere, he continued, did not have a village shop and the garage had become the nearest alternative within walking distance, supplying other, essential grocery items, such as milk, therefore the new licence gave villagers the option of adding alcohol, such as a can of beer, to their shopping basket.
However overall, the parish council had raised objections to the application: “We thought it didn’t give off the right vibe,” he said
Prior to the approval, parish councillors also feared existing problems with noise and anti-social behaviour, caused by people walking from the village to the Tothill services, to purchase items from the garage and also a McDonald’s, would be made worse, should the licence get the go ahead.
During a recent canvas carried out by the parish council of views about anti-social behaviour among residents of Pound Lane, one villager had revealed problems with young people throwing stones at the window of their property.
The borough council has confirmed no written objections, or letters in favour of the licence application were received, prior to the approval.