Discount food store secures alcohol licence – but ban on Carlsberg Special Brew

A discount food store in Middlesbrough has been granted an alcohol licence but will be banned from selling high-strength lagers and ciders.

Mohammed Amjead Selim, who runs Dart Foods, at 1 Lansdowne Road, was told that he would not be allowed to stock any beers, ciders or lagers over 6.5%.

Chair of the panel at the council licensing hearing, Cllr Ron Arundale, said: “The Committee has decided to grant the application on the conditions set out in the application.

“However, it will be subject to conditions… [and the] application being amended to cover super-strength lagers, ciders and beers.”

He also said that no more than 10% of the shop would be allowed to display alcohol, however, Mr Selim had already confirmed that it would take up around 5% of space.

Cllr Arundale asked whether the store owner, who was permitted to temporarily sell alcohol in December and January, would be selling Carlsberg Special Brew as it has an ABV of 7.5%.

Mr Selim said that he would not be selling it and didn’t have plans to stock cheap high-strength ciders either.

Explaining the reason for his concern, Cllr Arundale said: “These hardened drinkers will go out of the way to go to your store purely to access that kind of stuff. They probably wouldn’t buy anything else. At the end of the day, our duty is to protect the public.”

The shop will also keep all alcohol behind counters so a member of staff will have to hand over booze.

Dart Foods, which is one of 37 stores in the chain, with ten more expected this year, is currently open until 9pm but the licence will cover the store from 8am to 11pm to allow for flexibility in the future.

There were no objections lodged to the application by Cleveland Police, public health, or the ward councillors, however, two local residents submitted letters against it.

In his objection, Satvir Singh wrote: “There are already so many shops in the area selling alcohol and I feel adding another one to the mix would have a huge impact on rising crime and disorder in the area.

“There is no need to have so many shops selling alcohol as we all know the crime and nuisance around Middlesbrough is horrendous partly due to the drunk and disorderly!”

Another person, known as S Coates, thought that this would “create issues such as anti-social behaviour, and increase consumption of alcohol within locals in the area”.

Both of the people named other local shops selling alcohol including the Tesco Express, Longlands Convenience Store, and Low Cost Convenience Store.

Mr Selim said: “I am happy to speak to anybody who has an issue. People in the area appreciate what we do.”

He added that he had personally not received any objections.