A STREET with a history of violence was described as being like “the Wild West” as police urged licensing chiefs not to let a local shopkeeper sell alcohol there.

North High Street, in Musselburgh, was said by councillors to have had a long history of anti-social behaviour, violence and “very unsavoury” incidents in its past.

The most serious incident in recent years was the death of David McCardle, 40, outside the then Clubhouse pub on the street in August 2011. Ryan Cameron admitted killing Mr McCardle and in late 2012 was jailed for four years for culpable homicide.

Shopkeeper Zohaib Malik, who took over the former North News shop on the street in November last year, applied to East Lothian Licensing Board to be allowed to sell alcohol from his store, which sits at 179 North High Street.

But, at a board meeting, there were strong objections from local councillors and Police Scotland.

Councillor Fraser McAllister, ward councillor for Musselburgh West, said: “This is an area where extreme violence and anti-social behaviour has occurred and, as in most cases in Scotland, alcohol has been the source of it.

“It is an area that is coming back from the brink and it would be nice to think this process of bringing up the retail on offer, and diversity and more peaceful community, could continue. I think to allow a licence here would be jeopardising that.”

And Councillor Stuart Currie, who represents Musselburgh East, pointed to the security presence on the street as proof of its difficult past. He said: “North High Street has significantly large CCTV cameras because for many years it was like the Wild West and I have no doubt whatsoever it was directly linked to alcohol. I think the lack of alcohol on and off sales there has contributed to improvements.”

Police Scotland told the board members they did not believe the shop could give an exceptional reason why it should be given a licence when the local authority has an over-provision policy.

East Lothian Licensing Board has said the county has an over-provision of alcohol licences and any additional ones should offer exceptional reasons.

A spokesman for the police said: “Police Scotland would prefer not to have another premises to have to police and pay attention to in an area of anti-social behaviour.”

However, board member Councillor Willie Innes, council leader, pointed out local residents had written in support of the licence and dismissed claims it would have a negative impact on the street.

He said: “At the end of the day we are talking about Musselburgh High Street. It is a major shopping area and while nobody supports anti-social behaviour I think suggesting a very small grocer could be a threat to public order is overstepping the mark a bit.”

Fellow councillor Shamin Akhtar also backed the application, adding: “I will be supporting this because Mr Malik is a small retailer and the level of detail he has put into his proposals for this is impressive.”

The board voted by three members to two to approve the licence. Chairman Councillor Jim Goodfellow abstained.