Scarborough would be ‘dominated by booze’ if 7am licences approved

Two town centre shops at Newborough in Scarborough have applied to sell alcohol from the early morning, seven days a week, with councillors set to debate the plans at a meeting next week.

If the premises licence applications are approved, the One Stop at 50 – 53 Newborough would be allowed to sell alcohol and stay open from 7am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Food Plus at 54 – 55, Newborough would also be allowed to stay open and sell alcohol from 7am to 11pm, daily.

However, concerns have been raised by local residents about the impact on other businesses, customers, and members of the public if the licences are granted.

One objector said: “The area risks becoming an area dominated by off-licence alcohol availability and that is not in the interests of the local community.

“It would increase the risk of alcohol-related nuisance, street drinking, littering, loitering, anti-social behaviour, proxy purchasing, underage access to alcohol and pressure on the surrounding businesses and public areas.”

Google Maps Distance Between The Two Businesses On Newborough Seeking 7am Premises Licences. Google Maps

The objector, who owns nearby commercial premises, has expressed concerns about alcohol-related nuisance and street drinking.

The objector said: “The grant of these applications would, in my view, undermine the licensing objectives, particularly the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.”

At a meeting on Monday, August 10, members of North Yorkshire Council’s statutory licensing sub-committee will discuss the proposal.

The committee can grant the licences as applied for, subject to any conditions, grant the licences subject to any additional conditions that members consider appropriate, or reject the whole or part of the applications.

The objector has urged councillors to introduce various additional conditions if the licences are granted.

Newborough, Scarborough. Google Maps.

These include restricting alcohol sales to between 10am and 9pm, prohibiting the sale of single cans or bottles, and banning the sale of beer, lager, or cider above 5.5 per cent ABV, except for “genuine premium or specialist imported products sold as part of a multipack”.

The objector also suggested that spirits should be kept behind the counter or in a locked display cabinet, and that the premises should operate a Challenge 25 policy at all times.

Residents and members of the public are invited to attend the committee meeting at Scarborough Town Hall, starting at 10.30am.

(Image: Newsquest)