People power led to the granting of an alcohol licence at an Irvine convenience store – despite concerns there were too many similar premises in the area.

Backing from the public for the plans, in the form of 13 letters of support, helped secure the green light.

The case of U Save, owned by Navneet Kaur Sandhu on the town’s Dickson Drive, came up at Monday’s meeting of North Ayrshire licensing board.

It was first called at the September meeting and was continued to allow the applicant to comply with the rules about displaying an alcohol notice, highlighting that booze was for sale, and for a provisional planning certificate to be obtained.

A site notice had not been previously displayed but the board confirmed on Monday that this had now been complied with.

Bruce Hunter, representing the applicant, said: “The premises are currently run as a convenience store by the applicant and her husband and have been for some time.

“The previous application was refused two years ago but there has been significant progress since the last application; the main one being that the business has been run successfully for three years.

“There is also a local development at Ayrshire Central Hospital of 200 homes which will increase the population.

"In terms of public safety if granted, the applicant seeks to invest £20,000 in the premises and employ additional staff.

“They will operate  a Challenge 25 policy and will protect public health. They are aiming at the current target market of known customers.

"There was a Trading Standards inspection in November.

“These premises offer different services to a pub or a national retailer. This is a local convenience store.

"There has been no police objection to this application. Loitering outside premises will also be discouraged.”

It was confirmed there would be six new members of staff employed – a mix of full-time and part-time staff.

“They also intend not to stock the likes of Buckfast or Dragon Soop and have a target market,” Mr Hunter added.

“Thirteen letters of support have been received in support of this application.”

The company was also actively involved in the community and gave out Advent calendars and selection boxes to the Sea Cadets.

Irvine Community Council chair David Dunlop said he was representing objectors to the licence.

He said: “We have met with members of the public and seven members of the community approached us regarding this. 

“There is an off-license premises next door which has a variety of alcohol for sale and a fully-licensed premises at the other side of the building meaning that there would be three consecutive units which are on or off sales.

“There are three other off licensed premises within walking distance nearby. We feel another premises for selling alcohol is not required. A few people hang about at the shop for cigarette jump-ins and there is litter left lying there.

“Since the last meeting, the applicant contacted the community council and we responded to them with a request that we meet to discuss this and come to an agreement but we have had no response back.”

The board agreed to grant the provisional licence.