Brighton and Hove City Council has granted an alcohol licence to Dracula’s House, a Romanian convenience store located on London Road. This approval allows the store to sell alcohol exclusively from 8am to 9pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 9am to 6pm on Sundays. However, the licence comes with stipulations: it permits only Romanian alcoholic products, limited to 5 per cent of overall sales, and all items must be stored behind the counter.

During the council’s licensing panel hearing, the owners Ionut Cimpoesu and Ioana Cimpoesu emphasised their commitment to responsible operation. They accepted various conditions aimed at addressing concerns raised by local residents and community groups. Objections had surfaced from 13 residents, as well as from Green councillor Sue Shanks, due to fears of potential public nuisance and anti-social behaviour. Community objections highlighted the area’s saturation with licensed premises, a factor that generally leads council policy to deny new applications in similar contexts.

In a somewhat exceptional decision, the licensing panel—comprising councillors Julie Cattell, John Hewitt, and Kerry Pickett—recognised the unique nature of Dracula’s House as a specialist shop focusing on Romanian products. The panel noted the business had experience operating a similar establishment in Horsham, which aimed for a family-oriented, responsible sales environment. They expressed confidence that the proposed measures—particularly the staff supervision with alcohol being kept behind the counter—would mitigate risks such as shoplifting or attracting street drinkers.

The conditions imposed by the panel align with broader council efforts to maintain community standards in an area often described as “saturated” with licensed premises. Issues of public safety and community wellbeing are frequently at the forefront of council considerations. For context, recent cases in the area, including the revocation of a licence for Pascal's Bistro Bar due to severe breaches of conduct, underline the authority’s stringent approach to maintaining order in licensed venues.

The decision by the council also reflects a nuanced understanding of local economic dynamics. With Dracula’s House promoting a niche market by exclusively offering Romanian beverages, the hope is that this will attract a different clientele and reduce the likelihood of the establishment contributing to local drinking culture associated with public disorder. By confining alcohol sales as a minor aspect of their overall product offering, the owners are aligning their business model with community expectations, as evidenced by the assurances given during the council hearings regarding the nature of their operations.

In summary, while the granting of the alcohol licence to Dracula’s House faced initial opposition, the final judgement emphasised a commitment to balancing entrepreneurial spirit with community concerns. As Brighton continues to navigate its licensing landscape, the success or challenges faced by this small, specialised shop may provide useful insights for future applications in similarly contentious areas.

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Source: Noah Wire Services