Residents pour cold water on booze bid

MORE than 100 residents have objected to plans for a newsagent to sell alcohol.

Sabapathy Saktheeswaran has submitted an application to Stoke-on-Trent City Council for a premises licence at Hughes Newsagents, in Edensor Road, Longton.

If approved the newsagent would be allowed to sell alcohol seven days a week, from 8am until 10pm.

However, the plans have been met by a storm of objections from households in the area who fear the licence could lead to anti-social behaviour.

Objectors also claim the route is used by schoolchildren who could be tempted to try to buy alcohol.

Grandmother-of-five Joan Mitchell, of Heathcote Road, has written to the council asking the authority to refuse the application.

The 67-year-old said: "One of my main worries is the location of the schools near to the shop.

"I think there are enough premises in the area that already sell alcohol and we don't need anymore.

"Plus I don't want to see people drinking on the streets in the morning.

"I'm not against drinking. I enjoy a drink myself, but I just think there are too many outlets for it at the moment."

Another resident, Joan Follows, aged 79, said: "I am concerned because of the schools in the area and it's a route used by schoolchildren.

"You often hear reports of youngsters getting involved in drinking.

"There are already plenty of places in the area that sell alcohol. I don't think we need another one."

Dean Pearce, aged 27, from Kimberley Street, added: "I think the main concern people have is that the route is used by youngsters, and they shouldn't be exposed to it."

Albert McFarlane, aged 49, of Greendock Street, Longton, said he was worried that granting the licence would encourage underage drinking.

He said: "Kids will pretend they are old enough to drink and get their hands on the alcohol. It may cause problems with them hanging out on the street and drinking."

A police report, which will be considered by councillors during the licensing meeting, asks for a number of conditions to be imposed if the application is approved.

Officers say the shop must have a full CCTV system, covering both inside and outside of the building.

Police have also said that staff at the shop should be trained on the Challenge 25 initiative, which aims to stop underage drinking.

The petition submitted to councillors contains a total of 119 signatures. A letter with it reads: "There are already two shops in the close vicinity of the above shop with off-licences. This is a residential area and opening another off-licence will give more opportunities to underage drinkers to purchase alcohol.

"These shops serve a small village as its main catchment area, and there is no need for another off-licence.

"The shop is located close to a school, therefore this will lead to schoolchildren having access to alcohol."

Resident Patricia Peach, aged 75, is surprised at the protests.

She said: "It's a very good newsagents and he's a nice person."

Brian Wain, of Trent Licensing Consultants, who is representing the newsagent, said: "It's down to the licensing sub-committee to make their decision, either way."

Councillors will decide on the application during a meeting of the licensing sub-committee at the civic centre in Stoke on Monday, February 22. The meeting will start at 10am.