Concerns over newsagent’s bid to sell alcohol

CITY SHOP IN SECOND ATTEMPT TO GET LICENCE

POLICE and neighbours have again urged councillors to prevent a city centre newsagent from selling alcohol due to major fears over street drinkers.

Grainger News, on Clayton Street West, was refused an alcohol licence 18 months ago by Newcastle City Council amid complaints that the area was plagued by “noise, fighting, people being sick on the street, throwing and breaking bottles, and drinking on the street”.

At a hearing on Tuesday, the convenience store sought for a second time to obtain a booze licence that would allow it to sell alcohol. One objecting neighbour, Zoe Roth, told the council’s licensing sub-committee that there has been no let-up in the anti-social behaviour problems caused by beggars, pub patrons, students, and other drinkers.

Dr Roth said she felt “very vulnerable” living in the area and that she has frequently found vomit and faeces outside her front door.

Northumbria Police and the city council’s licensing boss also opposed the shop’s application, arguing that the busy area around Pink Lane and between Central Station and the rest of the city centre had been a hotspot for boozefuelled disorder and will likely be again once lockdown ends. Duncan Craig, the barrister representing Grainger News, told the online hearing that steps would be taken by applicant Ravindra Bharagida to deter street drinkers from coming into the store – such as not selling beer above 6% ABV, not selling individual cans or bottles, and a minimum price of £1 per 330ml.

He added that it was “fanciful at best and arguably absurd” to suggest that street drinkers would choose to buy their alcohol there when cheaper alternatives were already available. Mr Craig said: “He [Mr Bharagida] is not looking in any way to accommodate that market. He is looking to have premium products, wine and spirits in particular. That is why he has given the undertaking he has in terms of cans and bottles, he does not want those people in his shop.”

The council said it would issue a decision on the licence application within five working days.