Compromise reached over Middlesbrough store’s bid to extend hours

A convenience store in Middlesbrough will not be allowed to serve alcohol until midnight but a compromise has been reached.

Morrisons Daily on Corporation Road has secured permission to sell booze until 11pm, an hour later that its current 10pm deadline. It will also be able to serve hot food and hot drinks until midnight, an hour longer than it previously could.

Cleveland Police and public health were both against the midnight request due to fears the change would exacerbate issues in the town centre including crime and anti-social behaviour. However, following discussions at a licensing hearing on Tuesday, a compromise was reached.

Labour’s Cllr Chris Cooke, the chair of the licensing panel, asked what customers the store expected to attract between 10pm and 11pm. Robert Botkai, who was representing Mohan Palanisamy, said they would be selling alcohol to their existing customers before adding: “We are not expecting queues of people outside of the store.”

Barrister Charles Holland, representing Cleveland Police and public health, said a close eye would be kept on that part of town to ensure the changes didn’t have a negative impact. If there are any issues enforcement action will be taken.

He added: “We are aware there is a balance to be struck with the interests of all stakeholders and residents in the late-night economy. This premises is a fairly new premises, licensed in 2018, when a midnight licence was sought but that was pulled back to 10pm and now there is an application to vary it back to midnight, as you have heard the compromise being struck at 11pm.

“My clients consider that strikes the appropriate balance given that this is an existing operation and it has to be said, there aren’t any issues that have been identified arising from or in connection with these specific premises…they are a quality operation.”

The two objections to the change, submitted by Cleveland Police and public health before the hearing, were withdrawn once the compromise was reached. However, in the police’s submission, PC Jason Arbuckle said: “The area in which this premise is situated in, has numerous issues involving alcohol, ranging from crime and disorder, anti-social behaviour, public nuisance, underage drinking to alcohol dependant street drinkers.

“Cleveland Police are firmly of the belief that by granting this application, the existing problems and issues will be exacerbated by making alcohol more readily available and will add extra pressure and burden on the emergency and support services.”

As part of the application, store owner MPK Properties Limited said it would comply with the licensing requirements through its pre-existing conditions, this includes having CCTV and an incident book.

The shop must not stock any lager, beer, cider or perry product stronger than 6.5%, sell any single cans of lager, beer or cider or stock alcohol within five metres of the entrance/exit.