Shop granted alcohol licence despite concerns
GoogleAn alcohol licence has been granted for a convenience store despite concerns from neighbours.
Tharmarajah Srikantharajah's bid to sell alcohol from the new shop in Brandon, County Durham, was approved by Durham County Council's licensing committee earlier.
The Premier Supermarket on Sawmills Lane will sell alcohol from 07:00 GMT to 22:00, but must follow several conditions.
Residents had said they were worried that opening another store selling alcohol would make anti-social behaviour in the area worse.
Imogen Clarke, who lives nearby, said the shop would create more traffic and a safety risk.
"What was once a quiet little gem of Brandon is being eroded by increased anti-social activity and dangerous behaviour," she said.
"The convenience store threatens to devalue the neighbourhood further and accelerate this decline."
'Problematic' parking
Durham Police did not raise any concerns with the alcohol licence application, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
But Reform councillor, Tim Robson, who serves as licensing chair, urged the applicant to improve its proposed safety measures to prevent potential crime and disorder in the area.
Committee members ordered the store owner to install external CCTV around the premises and erect signs instructing customers to be considerate neighbours and leave the store quietly.
A total of four car parking spaces will be created directly outside the store.
Green councillor Johnathan Elmer said parking "is really problematic already".
"We just had a fatality in this very vicinity- a tragic accident," he said.
"There is a lack of visibility because of parked vehicles, and adding more poorly parked cars is just dangerous."
A representative speaking on behalf of the applicant said: "We have put forward a number of robust conditions to deal with the concerns.
"We don't see how parking would be an issue because adequate parking will be provided and most people will be walking to the shop."
