Residents object to store's alcohol licence bid

People living near a new convenience store say they fear existing anti-social behaviour will increase in their area if the supermarket is granted an alcohol licence.

Owner Harem Mohamed Amin is applying for a licence for Hanley Supermarket, in Stoke-on-Trent, to sell alcohol between 06:00 and 23:00, seven days a week.

Residents' objections detail how the area, around Lichfield Street, Hanley, is already plagued with drinkers who cause problems and fear an alcohol licence would make things worse.

In his application, Mr Amin said he would install CCTV cameras and train staff to mitigate any risk.

But 88-year-old June Turner, who lives nearby, said a shop entry near her home is already used as a "drinking den" and a "public convenience".

In her objection, she wrote: "How much sleep will us residents get if you allow the application to go through?

"Cars will be stopping virtually outside my front door, the noise and disruption will be unbearable for the residents of this quiet street.

"We already have to endure people using the entry next to me as a public convenience, what will it be like if you allow them to serve alcohol until 11pm each evening?"

Another objector, local resident and business owner TC Chung, said: "The area... has seen an increase in anti-social behaviour.

"Our premises in particular consistently suffers from people blocking entry to both my home and business by congregating on our steps.

"We regularly have to request people, often in groups, often drunk or under the influence, to move aside to allow business to continue – often to be verbally abused and on occasion physically attacked.

"The sale of alcohol is already available within five minutes' walking distance from a number of other vendors including a petrol filling station and there are a number of public houses and bars nearby."

Concerns have also been raised over increased litter and parking problems in the area.

Members of the licensing sub-committee at Stoke-on-Trent City Council will consider the application on 10 March.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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