Fordsburg residents do not want the liquor store in their area Photo Starofmysore
Fordsburg – Residents of Fordsburg are up in arms after an application to open a liquor store was published in the local newspaper. The proposed store’s location, 66 Central Road, is a cause of concern for residents who fear it could be detrimental to businesses and families who live in the area.
According to Abdur Rahmaan Rickey Kishore Nair, Councillor for Ward 58, it was only last week that the matter was made known to him. When he tried to engage with the agent of the property, he learnt that the owner stays in Vancouver, Canada. Nair is adamant he will not allow this liquor store to open in the middle of Fordsburg.
“The actual owner is an 86 year-old man that is losing his memory. The process so far is that we have sent an objection letter. I just finished making copies of the petition which was handed to me on Saturday night. I am going to be dropping off this petition with a covering letter objecting to this. We are going to do everything in our power to stop it.”
The gazette lists the date of the application as 1 March. While the community had 21 days to oppose it, the notice was only put up after the 21 days had lapsed, said Nair.
The fraudulent application for the liquor store
In a WhatsApp message making the rounds, it states, ‘The applicant fraudulently misrepresented his application and claimed that there are no places of worship or religious institutions within a 1km radius’. Nair confirmed this message is true and that the applicant lied about there being no places of worship in the surrounding areas.
“When he made his application, I don’t know how he convinced the board there are no schools or no places of worship [surrounding the area]. I am within walking distance of this area. There’s two Musjids and Fordsburg Primary. I cannot really have a bottle store in the centre of all of this.”
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The harms of the liquor store
Fordsburg has seen better days and Nair is concerned the liquor store will damage any businesses that are still left standing. His concerns are shared by residents who, like him, fear crime will increase in the area. This was all highlighted in his objection letter to the liquor board. In the letter Nair wrote he is “vehemently opposed” to the application based on various factors.
“The applicator fraudulently presented the application by claiming that there were no places of worship or educational institutions within 1km radius. This is false. There are several schools and places of worship in close proximity to the proposed liquor store. The area comprises predominantly Muslims and alcohol is strictly prohibited in Islam. The liquor store will pose a serious threat to the safety of children walking to and from schools.”
He further expressed residents’ fear that crime will become rampant in the area; something he has witnessed personally before. Should the application for the liquor store move forward and the licence be granted, Nair will not hesitate to take matters to court. He, along with the entire community, will do whatever they can to ensure the liquor store does not open in their area.
