Corner shop gets booze licence extended - but not for 24 hours like they wanted

A shop seeking permission to sell booze 24/7 has been granted an extended licence despite fears it could cause a disturbance.

Local residents, police, public health and the licensing and out of hours team (LOOH) in Abbey Hey, Manchester, all requested the Mini Megasave have its application refused, the council's Licensing Sub-Committee heard. All objectors believed an extension to 24/7 would lead to an increase in potential noise from customers talking outside the premises as well as greater risk of disorderly behaviour from street drinkers and partygoers.

A compromise was reached by the panel, who extended the licence from 8am until midnight - which is an additional four hours to the current licence that is currently 10am until 10pm.

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Nick Semper, of the Licensing Guys, who were representing the applicant Nabil Saddique in Manchester Town Hall, denied that this licence extension would lead to an increased risk of crime and disorder as argued by Greater Manchester Police and LOOH. The Cross Lane mini market agreed to conditions to their licence including having a bin on the premises for customers to use.

GMP and LOOH agreed to the extension of the licence until midnight - however public health still wanted the application thrown out. Laura Parker, from the public health team at Manchester City Council, told the committee that “increased availability of alcohol increases consumption” and these extended hours increased risk of domestic abuse and risk to children.

Responding to public health’s