Councillors have given the go-ahead to plans to transform the old Upton Youth Club into new business premises. A licensing sub-committee meeting was held after residents and Upton Parish Council objected to the plan, claiming it would add to anti-social behaviour problems. A panel granted permission for alcohol to be sold at the Freshgos store daily, from 6am to 11pm, after lawyers representing applicant Kalanathan Kopinath addressed the concerns. Solicitor Nick Kemper told the meeting that Mr Kopinath currently operated a number of Freshgos stores across Yorkshire. He said: “All are well managed, none have ever been reviewed and they have never sold age-restricted goods to anyone underage or sold counterfeit cigarettes or illegal vapes to anyone. “He is an experienced operator with a track record of compliance with licensing objectives behind him running back many years over numerous sites.” Residents opposed to the new business previously said it was “likely to increase anti-social behaviour, loitering and disorder” and create traffic problems on Waggon Lane. Mr Semper said: “With massive respect to every objector, the is no actual evidence contained within any of the representations. “I would argue that a new convenience store serving, and indeed employing, local residents does bring benefits to the community. “There is no evidence before you that we will deviate from our own high standards at this site.” The solicitor added that no objections to the plan had been submitted by West Yorkshire Police or other authorities, including trading standards or the council’s environmental health department. Elaine Farmer, a member of Upton and North Elmsall Parish Council, told the meeting seven off-licences already operated in the village. The building has been vacant since being closed by Wakefield Council in 2014 as part of spending cuts due to budget pressures. It was one of 11 youth centres to be closed at the time, when the council decided to centralise provision at six sites. Announcing the committee’s decision to approve the application, Paul Jaques, senior legal advisor for the council, said: “Written representations have raised concerns with the committee, but the committee is satisfied that they have been fully explored by the applicant to minimise any effect of the licensing objectives.”
