A CONVENIENCE store in Greenock has been given the green light to deliver alcohol to people's homes.
The controversial application by Scotmid in Murdieston Street was passed by Inverclyde Licensing Board with a string of conditions attached.
This was despite representations by the health and social care partnership, police and an objection from a member of the public.
Bosses from the HSCP had raised concerns about an increase in alcohol consumption, saying Greenock upper central was the second worst area for alcohol-related harm.
They said 'any extension of alcohol sales in this area would be detrimental to public health' and wanted a stipulation booze could only be ordered alongside groceries plus time restrictions.
A local resident objected on traffic grounds and raised questions about how purchasers' ages would be verified.
He said: "I am less than happy about this proposal and application to vary the licence and I see it as an unnecessary service to the town which has little further need of more alcohol issues."
But Scott Flannigan, representing Scotmid, told the board the company was a community-based retailer involved in initiatives such as litter-picking initiative and donating thousands of pounds to good cause groups.
He added that they had robust systems were in place to ensure alcohol would not be given to people who were underage thanks to staff training and ID checks.
Mr Flannigan said home delivery - through a mobile app - was the 'way the market was moving' and the company had to keep up with competitors.
He said: "We trialled it in West Lothian and the top 10 products were eggs, pizza and milk and there was only one item of alcohol and that was cider.
"Alcohol is only an ancillary part of the proposed offering."
Mr Flannigan also added that the service would be valued by those living in sheltered housing who couldn't get out to do their shopping.
The firm also rejected concerns about an increase in problem drinking as a result of the application.
Mr Flannigan said: "There is no evidence to suggest an increase in alcohol sales.
"It is buying alcohol by a different method."
After a private session to consider the bid, board members returned and passed it with a series of conditions set out by Police Scotland and health chiefs.
These included checks on age verification, an order/delivery register.
The last delivery under the successful application will be 9pm.
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