Booze at variety store within steps of Western University opposed
The battle over booze in Ontario corner stores is taking a new direction in London, Ont.
A 7-Eleven location, located just steps from the campus of Western University, is applying to serve alcohol. But not in multi-packs of cans or bottles.
Instead, if its application is approved, the location will serve alcohol with food. The alcohol must be consumed in the store.
London city Coun. Mariam Hamou is opposed to the plan. “To me it’s location. Where is it? In the middle of 4,000 undergraduate students”, Hamou tells CTV London.
The 7-Eleven is across the street from Western residences, which primarily house first-year students.
“Who is 7-Eleven targeting?” Hamou asks, adding there are 4,000 students living in the nearby residences.
“To me, it is a safety issue but also a resource issue, in that right now, staffing for police, staffing for the hospitals, we don’t have the resources to manage anything further on that corner.”
Hamou's concern is shared by a Western student CTV London spoke with Wednesday. “I think it is close to campus. I don’t think that alcohol should be that close to students”, she said.
Western University Ph.D. student Jackson Kusack on Aug. 17, 2022. (Sean Irvine/CTV London)
But, Ph.D. student Jackson Kusack disagrees. While acknowledging some problems may occur, he says most students are adults and capable of making smart choices.
He also argues that proximity offers at least one safety advantage. “If it is close enough for them to get to without having to drive, that’s a bonus. So, they’re not drinking and driving and driving under the influence.”
CTV London has been unsuccessful in its attempt to reach 7-Eleven for comment.
The corporation has also applied for licenses at two other London locations.
The Licence Appeal Tribunal is holding a public video hearing this Friday. It will specifically to address the application for 1181 Western Road.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What's a Barnacle? It's yellow, sticks and screams if you try to pry it off your car
Barnacles, bright yellow devices used to make sure parking scofflaws pay their tickets, could soon be making their way to cities across Canada.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.