Bid to sell alcohol at Middlesbrough shop objected to

Cumberland Convenience store, better known as Stop & Shop – located on Cumberland Road – is hoping to gain a premises licence, but is facing an uphill struggle as councillors must now weigh up the evidence in front of them.

Since the application for an alcohol licence was submitted, several objections have been lodged with Middlesbrough Council, including some from within the council.

A council officer argued that a further alcohol-selling premises in the local area, operating between the hours of 6am to 11pm on a daily basis would “exacerbate” existing alcohol related issues and add “unnecessary pressures” to emergency services.

The application detailed that efforts would be made to promote the four licensing objectives – these are the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

However, Lindsay Clode, a senior public health officer at the council, asserted that the granting of a licence would negatively impact all four licensing objectives.

She explained the shop in question is located in the Park ward, which is already home to 10 off-licensed premises (the figure is later cited as seven), with the nearest premises a mere 200m, also on Cumberland Road, with three in Linthorpe village and a further three on Eastbourne Road.

The application form described the premises as a “long established convenience store”, situated in a residential area.

The applicant is said to be investing to “renovate and refit” the store, while also joining Premier Retail Group.

The store will open from 6am daily for “essential morning items” such as coffee and tea. Papers for the meeting say that the premises was previously licensed for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises, but this licence was revoked in 2015, “following formal review proceedings”.

A private meeting was held on Wednesday, May 27, between various relevant parties.

Papers published following this raised concerns around “the experience, capacity and competence of [applicant] Keerthana Arulthas and her being proposed as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) given that she is already named as the DPS at two other licensed premises”.

Further concerns were raised regarding Mrs Arulthas’ experience and knowledge of the Licensing Act after questions were asked of her during the private meeting.

A separate representation from Fiona Helyer, from the council’s licensing department, said on Monday, June 1, an email was received from Mr Suresh [the agent] who apologised on behalf of the applicant, blaming sound problems for her failure to answer questions adequately in the previous meeting.

To relieve concerns, amendments offered would see a condition that would see no beers, lagers or cider above 6.5% ABV being sold. Mr Suresh confirmed that Mrs Arulthas would be prepared to surrender her status as DPS at two other stores to focus on the Cumberland Road store.

Cleveland Police has also objected over concerns the application does not adequately addresses the licensing objectives.

At a further meeting on June 9, further conditions were proposed by Mr Suresh.

However, the licensing authority was still not satisfied. Councillors making the all-important decision will hear from both sides of the debate at a public meeting of the licensing sub-committee on Thursday, July 2 at 10am in Middlesbrough Town Hall’s Spencer Room.