Morrisons Daily Petrol Station in Wolverhampton Secures Alcohol Licence Approval
The City of Wolverhampton Council has granted an alcohol licence to a new Morrisons Daily convenience store at a petrol station, overriding objections from local residents who feared it would become a hub for disorderly conduct. The licensing committee approved the application for the Linthouse Lane Service Station in Wednesfield during a meeting on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Objections Withdrawn After Mediation
Initially, the application submitted in February faced concerns from multiple authorities, including West Midlands Police, City of Wolverhampton Council, and environmental and public health officers. However, all objections were withdrawn prior to the hearing after additional licence conditions were agreed upon. West Midlands Police had expressed worries about the long operating hours but reached a mediation agreement with the garage owners, adjusting alcohol sales to start at 7am instead of 6am, continuing until 11pm.
At the hearing, Chris Mitchener from Licensing Solutions, representing the garage owners, clarified that the alcohol sales were part of the petrol station shop's overall offer and not intended as a standalone off-licence. He assured the committee that any issues related to anti-social behaviour would be promptly addressed, as maintaining the licence is in the business's best interest.
Resident Concerns Dismissed as Generalisations
Local residents had submitted numerous objections, arguing that the new shop and off-licence would become a focal point for anti-social behaviour, including drunkenness, littering, and criminal activity. They also raised concerns about traffic congestion around the busy Linthouse Lane area, where the council has previously installed traffic calming measures, and insufficient parking spaces in the Morrisons Daily plans, which could lead to road parking, noise, and blocked driveways.
The licensing committee, however, stated that rejecting the licence based on parking concerns was outside its remit. They dismissed the fears about increased anti-social behaviour and littering as generalisations, believing that such issues would not necessarily arise solely due to alcohol sales.
Planning Approval and Renovation Plans
Earlier in the week, the City of Wolverhampton Council approved a planning application to reopen the former Linthouse Service Station, which has been unused since 2011 and recently served for car sales and servicing. The renovation work includes demolishing the existing canopy roof, removing an underground tank, and installing a new canopy roof, lighting, and two larger underground petrol tanks. Additionally, a new shopfront, single-storey extension, cash machine, and electric vehicle charging point will be constructed.
This decision marks a significant step in the redevelopment of the site, aiming to enhance local amenities while addressing community concerns through regulatory oversight.
