A 7-Eleven near the campus of Western University will be allowed to serve beer and wine on-site after all.
The Licence Appeal Tribunal, an independent quasi-judicial provincial agency, has awarded the convenience store at 1181 Western Rd. a liquor licence.
The decision comes in the wake of a five-day hearing that took place earlier this year in which opponents of 7-Eleven's bid argued it would create safety issues. In particular, they maintained it would have a negative effect on nearby Western students by leading to an increase in sexual violence on campus, a rise in impaired driving, and increase danger for students crossing the intersection at Western and Sarnia roads. There was also concern for area elementary and high school students who frequent the store.
In his decision, Adjudicator Colin Osterberg stated the opponents did not establish that granting the licence was against the public interest.
"I have considered the concerns expressed by the objectors and the witnesses at the hearing. I must not rely on speculation or unsupported concerns in reaching a conclusion," he wrote in his decision. "I find that the added parties failed to establish, on a balance of probabilities, that the issuance of a liquor licence is not in the public interest having regard to the needs and wishes of the residents of the municipality."
Osterberg also declined to order conditions be attached to the licence.
Those fighting 7-Eleven wanted a prohibition on alcohol sales during the university's orientation week and any other dates campus bars are closed, a security guard on site, and additional safety training for store staff.
"In my view, the conditions requested by the added parties are not supported by the evidence at the hearing," wrote Osterberg. "There is insufficient evidence that licensing the [store] will have any significant impact on the conduct of students at Western as it relates to the use, or misuse, of alcohol."
7-Eleven officials previously said that staff at the store would be SmartServe trained and be required to participate in ongoing training on violence and robbery prevention. They would also be directed to request identification from all patrons who appear to be under the age of 30.
The Texas-based convenience store giant had applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for liquor licences for 61 of its locations in the province, including 1181 Western Rd. It plans to convert a section of the store into a 10-seat restaurant where customers can be served alcohol between noon and 11 p.m. daily. This space would be separated from the rest of the store by a metre-high wall.
Carry out alcohol sales would not be allowed.
