A new Premier store in Marton will sell alcohol when it opens, after a Middlesbrough Council licensing sub-committee granted a licence to sell beer, wine and other alcohol for consumption off the premises.
On Tuesday, September 15, councillors heard arguments for and against a licence allowing alcohol sales from 9am to 9pm daily, while residents raised concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour and one objector said a previously licensed shop in the same Woodrow Avenue parade had been ram-raided.
At the hearing, agent David Wilson said applicant Nishwanth UK would carry out a “complete refit” of the shop, staff still need to be recruited and trained so it will not open in the “imminent future”, the shop will be an independently run Premier convenience store, and Nishwanth UK director Senthilkumar Thangavel is an “experienced retail operator” who recognises that good business “is not antagonising” neighbours.
Councillors approved the licence with a long list of conditions, including that spirits and red wine must be displayed and stored behind the counter, out of customers’ reach, while beers, lagers and ciders must be displayed only in the wine and beer room, with “electronically controlled” access.
CCTV must provide “evidential quality” images in all lighting conditions, including clear facial images, the system must record and retain footage for at least a month, and at least two employees must be on duty from 9am to 9pm while the store cannot sell single cans of beer, lager or cider.
The committee said the conditions would protect children, prevent crime and disorder and public nuisance, and safeguard public safety.