A STORE has been granted a licence to sell alcohol 24 hours a day after councillors were told no neighbours had objected to the plans.

Environmental Health officers at Bradford Council had objected to proposals for the 24-hour licence at the store at 62 Leeds Old Road, claiming it would bring noise related to slamming doors, revving engines and people coming and going all through the night.

But at a meeting of the Bradford District Licensing Panel on Wednesday, members were told that these concerns were all based on speculation, and that neither the police nor residents had opposed the licence.

And Nick Semper, representing applicant Omer Mohammed Karim Jaf argued that it was in fact residents that had encouraged him to apply for a 24 hour licence.

The store currently has a licence that allows it to sell alcohol between 8am and 11pm.

Mr Semper said Jaf had run the premises “very successfully” since taking the business on in 2021.

He pointed out that the Environmental Health complaint was the only group to object to the application, adding: “No neighbours or councillors have raised an objection. None of the local residents this Council claims to champion have any issue with these opening hours.

“In fact he has been asked by local residents if he would consider opening for 24 hours.”

Criticising the Environmental Health objection for not being based on facts, he said: “Fear and speculation are not admissible in this decision.”

Referring to concern over litter and noise, Mr Semper said: “He doesn’t want people caterwalling outside – it will detract from the attractiveness of his shop. If rubbish is left outside then families will not feel comfortable going.”

At the meeting Environmental Health officer Neil Winchcombe told members: “We believe that if this was granted there would be noise complaints about the all day opening, and we would have to deal with those.

“As the premises doesn’t currently open 24 hours a day, we don’t receive any complaints about it.

“There aren’t any complaints about noise when it closes at 11pm. The concern is that if it opens 24 hours we would start getting those complaints.”

Mr Semper said: “Is it likely that after 11pm local residents will descend on this shop, caterwauling and slamming doors? I think not. Maybe you know Bradford better than me.”

Members voted to grant the 24 hours licence, and reminded the applicant that anyone can call for a review of that licence if they have concerns about how the business is being run.