Former teacher wins bid to sell alcohol from new store on troubled Teesside stretch

A former teacher has won the right to sell alcohol from a new convenience store in Stockton after allaying worries about trouble.

Experienced shopkeeper Fahad Anwar has convinced Stockton’s licensing committee his new 7Eleven shop on Durham Road, in Newtown, will meet licensing rules.

The panel granted Anwar his licence following a hearing last week.

Newtown councillor Marilyn Surtees had sounded concerns about the number of shops already selling booze nearby – and the stretch already being a “prolific hot spot” for problems.

Her objection letter added: “This is an area where gangs of teenagers hang around causing a nuisance to residents.

“We often have reports of drug dealing openly taking place in the Bedford Street alley directly opposite the site.

“Durham Road already has multiple social problems being in a very deprived part of the ward with many multi-occupancy properties housing transient tenants.”

But Anwar pointed to his many years of experience running businesses supplying alcohol on Tyneside alongside his father – and how the shop would help efforts to regenerate Newtown.

He also told the panel the social ills of Newtown should not be laid at his door.

Anwar added: “I’m not denying Stockton doesn’t have problems – many areas of the UK have problems but this is not a special measures area.

“There are not too many shops. The number of shops available to people who have drinking problems is not the cause of the problem.

“To talk about the number of shops is unfair.”

After digesting Anwar’s evidence, the committee agreed the former teacher should be granted a licence – pointing to the extensive conditions agreed with the council’s environmental health department and Cleveland Police.

The decision report added: “Mr Anwar has always operated his premises in a responsible manner and in full compliance with the requirements of the legislation.”

The store will open between 9am and 9pm.

While the committee was “sympathetic” to the concerns of some residents, it ruled it was clear Anwar was not responsible for the existing problems nearby.

The report added: “The committee noted that the applicant had provided a comprehensive submission to them that provided reassurance that the premise would be operated responsibly.”