Concern over long-hours licensing bid for new shop in former Hartlepool jewellery store
Concerns have been raised over a bid to open a new store selling alcohol until 11pm in Hartlepool town centre.
A hearing is to be held on Thursday over whether to grant a new premises licence for a store looking to open and sell alcohol from 6am until 11pm at 116 York Road in Hartlepool.
The application has been submitted by Mr Suganjan Sauvendranayagam to run the store at the former Mark Lloyd jewellery shop.
However a hearing is having to be held over whether to grant the licence due to the council voicing concerns over the application, and the times the store would be able to sell alcohol.
Mr Sauvendranayagam’s application states the store would be part of the ‘Go Local’ retail chain and have a comprehensive CCTV system, a challenge 25 policy and a log of everyone refused sales of alcohol.
In his application, he said: “It will be refurbished to operate as a local convenience store.
“The store would provide food, groceries, alcohol and all other household needs.
“The store will be newly refitted. The applicant has been operating another store in Middlesbrough and has extensive experience.”
However Ian Harrison, council trading standards and licensing manager, has submitted an objection to the plans on behalf of the council over the hours it would be able to sell alcohol.
He said: “The licensing authority objects to the application for a premises licence for 116 York Road, Hartlepool insofar as the hours for the sale of alcohol fall outside those considered appropriate for a residential area as detailed in Hartlepool Borough Council’s licensing policy.”
He points to how the policy states shops, stores and supermarkets will in general be licensed to provide sales of alcohol for consumption off the premises at any time when the retail outlet is open for shopping.
However licences for before 9am or after 10pm in residential areas will ‘generally be refused’.
The policy also notes how longer opening hours can place an ‘undue and unnecessary strain’ on the local transport infrastructure, accident and emergency services and law enforcement agencies.
It also states it can create a nuisance for residents who live nearby.
Additionally, resident Peter Joyce has submitted an objection to the plans calling for the store not to be granted an alcohol licence due to existing issues with drinking in the town.
He argues the town has ‘too many premises selling alcohol’ and has a ‘serious problem with alcoholism’.
He said: “The police are ever stretched dealing with drunks .
“The ambulance services are dealing with lots of injuries sustained by drunks fighting after consuming large amounts of alcohol all day, every day.
“Alcoholism is affecting families in Hartlepool.
“Police, fire services and ambulances are spending huge amounts of time and resources dealing with drunk drivers.”
Hartlepool Borough Council Licensing Sub-Committee will meet on Thursday to decide on the application, with the options to approve, refuse, or part approve it with modifications.
The meeting will start at 10am and be streamed live on the ‘Hartlepool Council meeting videos’ YouTube channel.