LICENSING chiefs have postponed deciding whether to allow a county filling station to sell alcohol.

Applicant Karl Hawkins has asked Herefordshire Council to allow the supply of alcohol at the Forge Filling Station on the A465 Abergavenny road in Wormbridge.

He asked permission for the sale of the beverages for consumption off the premises between 9am to 9.30pm Monday to Saturday and between 10am and 9.30pm on Sundays.

But the council’s licensing sub-committee adjourned its meeting yesterday (January 21) to allow for its members to visit the site before making a decision.

More than 90 people have signed a petition supporting the proposals.

The petition reads that the garage is a crucial part of the community and would benefit from them specialising in local ciders and branded alcoholic beverages.

“We wish them the best and hope our signatures will be beneficial in them gaining their alcohol licence,” it reads.

In evidence provided by Mr Hawkins, he says the primary use of the garage is that of a grocery store.

“After 5.30pm we are the only shop open within four miles in either direction of our premises that serve the rural community until the other businesses open in the morning,” he said.

However, the council objects to the proposals because sales data shows their main income comes from fuel.

Licensing officer Fred Spriggs said: “The authority does object in total to the grant of the licence for the sale of alcohol.

“This objection is based upon the fact that Section 176 of the 2003 Act prohibits the sale from premises which are used primarily as a garage, or are part of premises used primarily as a garage.”

The officer said data from May to October 2018 provided by the applicant show that the primary use of the filling station is that of a garage and therefore Section 176 applies.

The data shows that between 75% to 81% of total sales are for unleaded petrol and red and normal diesel.

Councillors are yet to decide a date for their site visit.