Alcohol licence could provide a springboard for new business
Ladykirk Investments Ltd applied for permission to sellboozebetween10am-8pm, MondaytoSaturdayand10am5pm on Sunday.
At a licensing hearing on May 7, the first to be live streamedonlineundercoronavirus social distancing guidelines,councillorsdiscussedthe application.
This included measuring the application against the council’s ‘cumulative impact’ policy which covers areas that arevulnerabletocrimecaused by drinking.
Themeetingheardthattwo petitionshadbeenlodgedwith a combined total of nearly 40 signatures raising concerns about antisocial behaviour andstreetdrinkinginthearea.
But representatives from Ladykirk Investments Ltd stressed measures would be put in place to meet council licensing objectives.
This ranged from CCTV, staff training around proxy sales and a ‘Challenge 25’ policy, to refusing to serve single cans and employing a security staffmemberduringlicensing hours.
Other conditions included police being able to request the removal of certain brands or sizes of alcohol bottles and no sales of beer, lager or cider withanABVofmorethan5.5%.
Solicitor for the applicant, Sarah Smith, told the meeting that a petition in support had been submitted with around 60 signatures from customers and added more jobs would be created at Jopling Stores if the alcohol bid was approved.
She said: “The hope is that by opening this shop and making it as successful as possible it will seek to attract other retail or leisure operators to take on the remaining [retail] units once they’re confident that it’s a vibrant trading area.
“That will lead to more investment in the city centre bringingmorejobsandaboost to the economy.
“It’s important to allow and encourage investment and competition, which in itself, assists in addressing the negative issues experienced.
“For example, boarded up shops and dark corners create places for street drinkers to mill about and cause crime and disorder whilst an active retailofferingwithCCTV,staffingandcustomerpresencewill discourage such activity.”
NorthumbriaPolicehadno objections to the licence bid and despite invitations, no objectors joined the online meeting to voice concerns.
In response to questions from the sub-committee, applicantSeemaJagotaalsoconfirmed that relevant training around alcohol sales would be put into place before the shop is stocked.
In line with guidelines agreed by councillors at the meeting, the Licensing SubCommittee agreed to publish a decision within five working days.
The decision notice, published this week, revealed the licensing application has now been approved.