### Mount Pleasant Residents Express Anger as New Off-Licence Set to Open Despite Widespread Objections
A new convenience store and off-licence is due to open in Swansea’s Mount Pleasant, despite strong opposition from local residents who have voiced escalating concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. The new shop will occupy the former site of a hairdresser’s on the corner of Terrace Road and Harcourt Street, a location notably close to Terrace Road Primary School.
During a recent licensing sub-committee hearing, locals presented a catalogue of objections, with nearly 150 people either signing petitions or submitting formal complaints. Among their main apprehensions were the risk that children could be exposed to street drinkers, and the potential for increased litter and disorder. One troubling claim suggested that drug-use and public drinking are already problematic, with one local alleging they had found over twenty small bottles of vodka while carrying out a litter sweep in a nearby park.
Mandeep Bhattal represented the collective concerns of residents at the meeting, arguing that the community has long felt unsupported in its efforts to curb these disturbances. Mr Bhattal highlighted that there is no dedicated police community support officer assigned to Mount Pleasant, commenting, “We have asked and asked but South Wales Police seems to be a bit overstretched. A lot of residents are fed up.” His remarks reflect a deeper frustration within the community, many of whom believe that introducing another alcohol retailer will only worsen the situation.
Despite the groundswell of opposition—including a petition signed by around 140 people—the council’s sub-committee ultimately ruled in favour of granting the licence, stating that it was satisfied the applicant would uphold the key objectives required under the 2003 Licensing Act. Notably, no formal objections were lodged by South Wales Police. Councillor Penny Matthews, chairwoman of the committee, described this omission as “a bit surprising” given the nature of residents’ concerns.
Surendra Panchal, the agent representing DSC Food and Wine Ltd, reassured committee members that stringent measures would be put in place. He outlined plans to refurbish the long-vacant premises, adding new CCTV cameras and improved lighting. “All licensing objectives will be robustly defended,” Mr Panchal said, highlighting the family’s experience in running similar businesses with no history of licence breaches. He pledged that staff would operate strict age-checking policies, refuse service to intoxicated individuals, and maintain detailed incident logs.
Mr Panchal also addressed the issue of potential disturbance to schoolchildren, suggesting this was not a matter for the licensing body to address directly. He queried the origins of the petition against the shop, only for Mr Bhattal to confirm that signatures were collected both through local shops and door-to-door canvassing, ensuring they reflected “actual residents”.
Local ward representative, Councillor David Phillips, remarked that there was already a “notable concentration” of alcohol retailers in the Mount Pleasant area, and that the cumulative impact on street drinking should weigh heavily in the sub-committee’s decision. While expressing his reservations, he did welcome a concession from the applicants to reduce Sunday trading hours for alcohol sales, closing half an hour earlier than initially proposed.
The applicant, DSC Food and Wine Ltd, also promised further benefits to the community. Mr Panchal suggested that the new shop would inject fresh investment into the area, create jobs, and even offer a delivery service for elderly residents—elements intended to assuage some of the local discontent.
In the end, after reviewing all evidence and representations, the council sub-committee issued its decision to grant the licence, attaching 20 specific conditions to the premises. For many in Mount Pleasant, however, there remains a sense of disappointment and concern regarding the area’s future safety and cohesion. As the new business prepares to launch at the refurbished premises, the ongoing relationship between local retailers, residents, and public services will likely remain under close scrutiny.
This case underscores the persistent tensions that can arise in communities balancing business development with social responsibility. While investment and new services are often welcomed, they must always be matched by assurances that community welfare remains paramount.