Off- licence is given green light despite 200-name peitition
A COUNCILLOR has slammed a decision to allow a new off-licence to open.
Manju Mathew has been given permission to sell alcohol at a shop on the corner of Lowerfield Road and Queen’s Avenue in Hurdsfield.
He plans to convert a former hairdressers into a shop which has a licence to sell booze seven days a week.
The application was debated by Cheshire East Council’s Licensing Committee.
And despite a 200-signature petition against the proposals, the committee gave it the green light, albeit with slightly shorter opening hours.
Reacting to the decision, Coun Steve Carter, who represents Hurdsfield ward, said: “I spoke, along with a number of others at this meeting.
The committee also had numerous letters of protest and a petition with over 200 signatures against the application.
“I am sorry to say the licence was granted against the wishes of the majority of Hurdsfield people.
“I am deeply unhappy and angry about this because we made a really good case but this was ignored.”
Opposers to the shop feared that it would attract groups of teenagers to the area, which already has two off-licences within 300 metres. However, the requested licencing hours were amended, shortening the proposed opening hours by half an hour to 7.30am-10.30pm.
The licensee was also ordered to install a comprehensive CCTV system in agreement with the police and for staff to used the Challenge 25 retailing strategy that encourages anyone who is over 18 but looks under 25 to provide acceptable ID.
The Express was unable to contact Mr Mathew for comment.