A call to sell alcohol from a coffee pod at Tenby railway station has been given the go-ahead, despite concerns raised.

At the June 4 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee, members were asked to consider the granting of a new premises licence for Mrs Nicola Nolan of Lisheens Coffee Pod, Tenby Station, which included the sale of alcohol off-site from 11am to 10pm, seven days a week.

During an incident back in April of disorder involving youths, where one individual was reported to be carrying a knife; four teenagers were injured and taken to hospital. A total of 11 arrests for offences including grievous bodily harm and violent disorder were made.

While the incident was unconnected to the licensing application, it was raised in objections to the scheme.

A report for members of the committee said objections to the application were received, from The British Transport Police, and another from a lease of the railway building, which said: “It encourages group gatherings, encouraging vandalism, and violence such at stabbings by group gatherings as of April 7.”

Jessica Jones, Designing Out Crime Officer for British Transport Police, who later spoke at the meeting had raised concerns “based on crime data, operational policing considerations, lone-working risks, public safety concerns, and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) risks”.

Her report said, over the past two years, there had been 12 incidents of violence, three serious public order offences, and one motor vehicle crime incident, the majority between 9pm and 11pm, a timeframe overlapping the proposed hours of alcohol sales, raising concern that alcohol availability “may further exacerbate existing issues of violence and disorder”.

That report added there were many outlets in Tenby town centre selling alcohol, questioning the need for a further facility at the station, and there was “significant concern regarding the risk to a lone worker having to refuse alcohol sales to intoxicated individuals or manage customers who refuse to leave”.

It went on to say that, while British Transport Police already deploy dedicated policing operations throughout the six-week summer holiday period to manage increased passenger numbers and deter crime, “introducing another alcohol sales point during these peak periods may heighten existing risks”.

Jessica later told committee members introducing the scheme in Tenby would mean it was the only such offer at an unmanned station in Wales.

Tenby county councillor for the seaside town’s north ward, Cllr Michael Williams also objected to the appliction.

In backing the British Transport Police’s stance, he stated: “In recent times we have unfortunately witnessed a growing number of antisocial behaviour incidents in this area, in particular on Network Rail land.

“I would emphasise the amount of crime and disorder outlined by the Police objection, which is alarming in particular to rail users and nearby residents.

“We have seen a growth in the number of people using rail services as well as a welcome increase in the level of service which is very welcome and should be encouraged.

“Any increase in the availability of alcohol in this vicinity will deter rail users given recent incidents which were the result of alcohol abuse by young people,” continued Cllr Williams.

“The most recent incident in the station area was without doubt alcohol fuelled and as one who witnessed the aftereffects of this violent event, an event which was described in the press as a near riot and caused huge distress to nearby residents.

“Nobody should have to suffer such an event again. There are indeed more than enough licensed premises available in Tenby and are in the main well supervised.

“To allow this application would be hugely irresponsible and detrimental to the wellbeing of nearby residents and rail users.

“Tenby station is unstaffed, and it would appear that this pod would be single manned during late evenings with no licensed door staff which is mandatory in other licensed premises,” he added.

Speaking at the meeting, Barry Nolan, husband of the applicant, said it was hoped to supplement the ‘coffee pod’ with “genteel” and “trendy alcoholic products” such as wine, “really cool craft beer,” and Barti Ddu rum in cans for consumption elsewhere rather than “pints of lager and triple vodkas”.

He said the facility wouldn’t lead to youths congregating due to the products being at the more premium price end; also offering security if needed.

He later offered a reduction in alcohol serving hours to 8.30pm, with committee chair Cllr Tim Evans mooting an 8pm finish.

After retiring to deliberate, members agreed to the granting of the licensing, subject to an 8pm cut-off, wishing the applicants well in their business.

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