Petition backs couple’s shop licensing bid

A family-run convenience store has been backed by a public petition in its efforts to sell booze.

Couple Anthony and Eleanor Longworth have applied for a licence to sell alcohol at their shop on Broughton Avenue, Easterside, after taking over the former McColls store six months ago.

But worries about anti-social behaviour and nuisance sparked a council review hearing on Wednesday afternoon (June 10).

The shop is on a small parade in Easterside alongside other stores which can already sell booze.

Selling high quality wines, beers and spirits between 7am and 10pm is the aim of the Longworths.

Solicitor Matthew Foster, on behalf of the couple, told Middlesbrough Council’s licensing committee how a petition backing the bid had been sent to the authority.

He also cast doubt on the objections lodged by a resident and a member of Ladgate Community Council – saying Longworths had run the store with no trouble since taking over.

Foster said: “All the evidence here points to a good operator – a proven operator in the area already running a premises in the Cleveland Police area.

“If there was any problem with this operator, then you would know about it because Cleveland Police are not backward in coming forward about such things.”

The Longworths run another convenience store, in Eston, as well as Eleanor’s Cafe, in Acklam, and a window cleaning business.

Foster said the objection letters “had no evidence to them” – adding they were “more about speculation” and “poorly conveyed”.

The solicitor added: “The representations talk about possible issues with anti-social behaviour in the area which haven’t materialised during the course of my client running the premises.

“Bear in mind that this is at a time when under 18s are off school and there are more of them around – these problems still haven’t materialised.

“My client didn’t understand how they could say this – his experience is that people under age 18 and everyone in this part of Easterside have been very well mannered.”

Adjusted opening times and extra conditions on the Easterside application had satisfied Cleveland Police and Middlesbrough Council teams.

Under the plans, alcohol would be sold from behind the counter and the furthest wall away from the entrance.

Ms Longworth told councillors the shop opens seven days a week from 6am to 8pm and wanted the option to sell until 10pm.

Foster rounded off by saying it was “one of the most robust applications he’d ever seen”.

“I think it will be a credit to the area,” he added.

But Cllr Teresa Higgins had concerns about the number of schools in the area.

“I am a bit concerned about alcohol being sold from 7am on a morning,” she added.

Foster said robust policies were in place as well as training for staff on challenging those appearing under age 25.

The solicitor added: “Alcohol is located away from the door and couldn’t just be grabbed.

“It’s located on the far wall and behind the counter.

“You’ll have a personal licence holder in place at all times when alcohol is to be sold – plus you already have two personal licence holders working in the business and a commitment from the licence holder to train the rest of his staff.”

The panel heard training on “proxy sales” is also in place.

Foster added: “That includes looking out for orders which might include four cans of lager, some cider and some alcopops – (in other words) an order which looks like it’s on behalf of different people.

“People are paying with lots of change is another indicator people are buying alcohol on behalf of someone under 18.”

The licensing committee will reveal its decision on the bid within the next week.