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Slough pub plan below alcohol misuse centre sparks anger | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Slough residents have voiced their opposition to a pub opening below an alcohol and drug treatment centre. | |
A lease for The Assembly is being offered in the High Street next to The Turning Point centre. | |
The site, which was vacant for several years in which time the centre opened, previously had a licence so does not need approval to reopen as a bar. | |
A former client at the centre has started a petition calling on the council to revoke the licence. | |
A Slough Borough Council spokesman said: "The building where Assembly is has been a drinking establishment for several years so it doesn't require a change of use. | A Slough Borough Council spokesman said: "The building where Assembly is has been a drinking establishment for several years so it doesn't require a change of use. |
"Like other pubs and bars, the town centre is considered to be an appropriate location." | "Like other pubs and bars, the town centre is considered to be an appropriate location." |
He added there was a pub opposite and off-licences nearby, and that "drop out rates" at the centre were improving. | He added there was a pub opposite and off-licences nearby, and that "drop out rates" at the centre were improving. |
But the former client, who wishes to remain anonymous, said it was the council that moved the treatment centre to its current premises three years ago. | But the former client, who wishes to remain anonymous, said it was the council that moved the treatment centre to its current premises three years ago. |
He said: "Funding for drug and alcohol misuse has already been cut to next to nothing over the previous few years, and now this. | He said: "Funding for drug and alcohol misuse has already been cut to next to nothing over the previous few years, and now this. |
"I think this is a disgrace to Slough as a supposed community-led council." | "I think this is a disgrace to Slough as a supposed community-led council." |
The Assembly is owned by Heineken's leased pub business Star Pubs & Bars, which is yet to comment. | The Assembly is owned by Heineken's leased pub business Star Pubs & Bars, which is yet to comment. |
Turning Point said: "Recovery is a long process and there are many difficulties and temptations in day-to-day life. | Turning Point said: "Recovery is a long process and there are many difficulties and temptations in day-to-day life. |
"While it is not possible to remove access to alcohol, we focus on supporting individuals to make the right decisions around drug and alcohol use." | "While it is not possible to remove access to alcohol, we focus on supporting individuals to make the right decisions around drug and alcohol use." |