Son has to ban his dad if he wants to run shop

A shop owner has been told he can only continue running his business if he bans his own father from the premises.

Kosakan Ravichandran's father Kasippillia attacked a man with a shelf bracket during a fight outside his shop Wine & Spirits KSP on Vauxhall Road in Liverpool last April.

Kosakan has now been told by city licensing bosses that its licence can be renewed if his now-retiring father is not allowed in.

Liverpool City Council's licensing committee also rejected an application to stay open until 04:00 GMT.

The licensing committee heard the shop was in a "hot spot" area for crime, drugs, alcohol abuse and antisocial behaviour.

A member of the public had gone into the shop last April while Kasippillia was unloading stock. An argument broke out in which he was said to have been racially abused.

During a fight outside the customer had suffered a slash wound, but no crime report was made, the committee heard.

Ian Rushton, licensing agent on behalf of Kosokan, who operates two other businesses in Maghull and Tuebrook, said despite concerns from local councillor Nick Small about the continuing operation of the shop, there was "no evidence from objections to support their objections".

Rushton said attempts made to engage with the Labour councillor were not fruitful.

Councillor Christine Banks, committee chair, raised issues regarding the potential sale to vulnerable customers from the nearby YMCA centre on Leeds Street.

She said: "The sale of high volume cider attracts street drinkers, that was the problem with this shop before your client took over."

Rushton said persistent offenders would not be permitted entry and "no-one can 100% prevent a shoplifter."

Kasippillia was no longer involved in the business and was planning to retire, the committee was told.

The business was granted permission to serve alcohol from 08:00 daily, ending at 01:00 Sunday to Thursday and 02:00 Friday and Saturday.

Granting the licence Banks said: "Good luck, you'll need it."

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