Shops' booze plan fails despite zip-tied bag offer

Two shops have offered to sell alcohol in bags sealed with zip ties to prevent customers from opening and drinking from them straight away in a bid to get their licensing hours extended.

But police objected over concerns that selling alcohol into the early hours on Saturdays and Sundays would lead to an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour in Chepstow, Monmouthshire.

Mohamed Ismail, who represented both businesses, told the hearing they were "struggling" and needed to "increase our sales" over the weekend as "the weekdays are very quiet".

However, Monmouthshire councillors rejected the applications to extend the licensing hours.

Shop manager Michelle Frost told the licensing committee it was feared the two businesses on Welsh Street and Beaufort Square were losing out on passing trade from customers travelling to a garage on Newport Road which had a late licence.

Mr Ismail told the hearing the shops wanted to extend their licensing hours until 02:30 on Saturday and 02:00 on Sunday.

The meeting was told they could employ security guards and sell alcohol in bags that could not be torn open and would require scissors to cut cable ties to prevent them from being opened immediately.

But PC Mark Williams from Gwent Police said that while the force appreciated the applicants "thinking outside the box", the bags "won't be anti-rip".

"They might state that they are," he said. "My body armour says it is anti-slash but it still slashes.

"I can get around the cable tie with my key. Most people have a key on them."