New village store can sell booze, but locals fear it could bring trouble

A new off-licence in Rochdale can now serve booze to punters despite concerned locals fearing it could spark a rise in antisocial behaviour and drug use in the area.

Bamford Mini Store faced backlash from neighbours in their bid to start selling alcohol between 10am and 11pm on weekdays and from 10am until midnight from Friday to Sunday. A licensing sub-committee meeting was set up by Rochdale Council to decide on the application for the former home of the 'Let's Eat' chippy.

At the meeting people living nearby expressed concerns that opening later in the evening could possibly increase antisocial behaviour problems.

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A number of objectors shared concerns that the later opening hours could lead to drug use, an increase in antisocial behaviour and cause disturbance for residents living nearby through parking and passing trade.

Rachel Buckley, who runs the gift shop next door to the Bury Road site, told the committee: “As a business I am worried about the antisocial behaviour it may bring to the parade. On a Saturday night, if you drive past at 10.30pm everything is shut.

“I also live in the area and I don’t think we need this business at night.”

Three women who attended the meeting on July 31 also raised the historic problems in the area with a venue across the street which had its licence revoked, they claimed. However, licensing officer Rick Eckersley clarified that the establishment in question had actually surrendered their licence.

In response to the objections, premises supervisor Mr Rasoul Javadi decided to change the shop closing time to 10pm every night, the meeting in Number One Riverside heard. His licensing