Heron’s booze bid accepted
CONCERNS OVER ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
A NORTH Tyneside supermarket’s bid to sell booze was given the go-ahead – despite a ward councillor calling for a cap on the number of outlets selling alcohol in the area.
Heron Foods applied to North Tyneside Council for permission to sell alcohol from their Howdon branch.
The frozen food retailer asked council bosses for permission to sell booze between 8am and 8pm on Mondays to Saturdays and 10am to 4pm on Sunday at its Churchill Street store.
But ward councillor John Harrison called for a clampdown on alcohol in the area. Coun Harrison is not a member of the licensing committee but attended Monday’s meeting to speak out against the application.
He previously wrote to the authority saying selling alcohol from the premises could cause anti-social behaviour because of its closeness to cuts between Churchill Street and Gilsland Avenue, which he described as “known gathering points for drinking and anti-social behaviour”.
He said: “It’s not about being antialcohol. Our concern is our approach towards alcohol harm prevention. “Many people see this as something that happens to a small group of dependent drinkers who can’t control their drinking, this is not the case. “We’re pleased that Heron in Howden is providing services to the community but this isn’t about that it’s about how we protect children and the community in North Tyneside. “In a community in a ward where there is high deprivation there is quite a few issues regarding social responsibility and anti-social behaviour. I think we have the responsibility to limit the number of outlets selling alcohol.” Speaking in support of the application, solicitor Leigh Schelvis spoke of Heron Food’s good record with local authorities.
He said: “Heron Food’s premises licenses have never been under review from any local authority. The idea is to allow consumers to buy a bottle of wine or six-pack of beer to accompany their meal so they don’t have to buy it elsewhere.” Coun John Harrison
We have the responsibility to limit the number of outlets selling alcohol