New store set to open at former McColl’s in Trafford

A mini mart has been given permission to open and serve alcohol in Urmston – despite concerns over perceieved anti-social behaviour.

An application for a new premises licence at Canterbury Road was lodged with Trafford council by the new owners.

The town hall’s licensing committee approved the application this week.

The store will be allowed to open – and sell alcohol – Monday to Sunday between 6am and 11pm – and until midnight on Bank Holidays and Sundays immediately preceding Bank Holidays.

The shop was previously licensed as a McColl’s from September 2016 to August 2020, when the licence was surrendered.

CCTV will be set up – inside and outside.

A number of people, including a councillor, wrote to the town hall expressing concerns.

One resident said the opening hours would be ‘excessive’, adding: “The Canterbury Road area is residential and has previously suffered from crime and anti-social behaviour, to the point where a CCTV camera was installed in the road focusing on the very shop this application is for.

“There is already a shop licensed for off premises alcohol sales just a few shops away with reasonable opening hours, but even this shop still attracts an element of trouble during the course of a year.”

Cllr Jayne Dhillon said: “I have already been contacted a number of times by residents in that area about anti-social behaviour and litter, I have also contacted the PCSO about this.

“I am aware that some of the local residents have started a petition about this issue and I have spoken to one of the residents today. I share their concerns.”

The committee granted the application, however.

A report read: “All staff selling alcohol shall be authorised to sell alcohol in writing and a record of the authorisation will be kept in the shop for inspection.

“Any incidents of crime and disorder at or immediately outside the premises, witnessed by staff, will be recorded in an incident book(s) kept at the premises. Spirits will be kept behind the counter.

“Staff will be vigilant and monitor the area immediately outside the shop to check that youths are not causing annoyance by congregating.

“Deliveries to the premises will be arranged so as not to cause any public nuisance. Notices will be on display in the premises asking customers to leave the premises quietly.

“Staff will monitor the area immediately outside the premises on a regular basis to check for, and to properly dispose of, any litter from the premises.”