Hove newsagent refused permission to sell alcohol (From The Argus)
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Hove newsagent refused permission to sell alcohol
3:30pm Sunday 6th January 2013 in News
A NEWSAGENT has been refused a licence to sell alcohol after neighbours protested.
Martin’s newsagents, in Richardson Road, Hove, had its request to Brighton and Hove City Council for a liquor licence turned down at a meeting yesterday.
It hoped to sell wine, beer and other alcoholic drinks between 8am and 11pm.
A petition of more than 400 signatures was submitted to the council opposing the move, with residents arguing it would have a negative impact on the area.
After Sussex Police also raised concerns, the hours were revised to 8am until 8pm, but locals remained opposed.
Michelle Sawyer, a resident and local business owner in the area, said: “There are two off-licences already on this tiny road – why do we need another one?”
She also expressed concerns about the effect the licence would have on crime rates in the area.
She said: “We do not need to be adding to this, it’s ridiculous.”
Neighbour Sue Beatty said: “We already have worries about local and national increases in irresponsible drinking by young people, and this licence would have added to that.”
Ward councillor Graham Cox presented the petition to the panel at the licensing meeting on Friday.
He referred to the area as a “crowning jewel of Brighton and Hove”.
Following the licensing deci- sion, he said: “I am grateful that the application was refused, so that the unique characteristics of Richardson Road and the balance of its thriving community can be preserved.”
Councillor Dee Simson, a member of the licensing committee, said: “We have been told that this is a residential area, and we are not satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances to accept this application.”
Martin’s was not available for comment, but has the opportunity to appeal the decision within the next 21 days.
Comments(11)
power_ranger
says...
9:40pm Sun 6 Jan 13
Let them sell alcohol to people who want to buy it for christ's sake.
Tarring everyone with the same pedantic brush.
martyt
says...
9:41pm Sun 6 Jan 13
In the sticks
says...
10:34pm Sun 6 Jan 13
power_ranger wrote:"Tarring everyone with the same pedantic brush."
Who are all these old folk latching on to a bygone age?
Let them sell alcohol to people who want to buy it for christ's sake.
Tarring everyone with the same pedantic brush.
What does that mean??
wexler53
says...
11:18pm Sun 6 Jan 13
qm
says...
9:15am Mon 7 Jan 13
wexler53 wrote:Couldn't agree more!!! Nobody wants the local Church turned into a beer garden by those who would pour down their throats that which they could be using to improve their lives.
Richardson Road is a great little oasis in an ocean of mediocracy. I'm glad they've left it unchanged - the longer the better.
Skidrow
says...
9:47am Mon 7 Jan 13
2 off licences good, 3 off licences bad...
Phani Tikkala
says...
10:01am Mon 7 Jan 13
This is typical of this council, in planning, licensing, etc. etc. - always assuming the answer is "no" instead of a presumption of yes.
Surely it should be "Councillor Dee Simson, a member of the licensing committee, said: “We have been told that this is a residential area, and we are not satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances to REFUSE this application.”
No wonder nothing ever gets done in this "City"
aat99
says...
10:20am Mon 7 Jan 13
qm wrote:Good news but I guess they will appeal so it's only half time .....
wexler53 wrote:Couldn't agree more!!! Nobody wants the local Church turned into a beer garden by those who would pour down their throats that which they could be using to improve their lives.
Richardson Road is a great little oasis in an ocean of mediocracy. I'm glad they've left it unchanged - the longer the better.
Martins are only doing this as an easy option to prop up their flagging newspaper sales .... perhaps if they re-opened the post office they would draw more people to their shop for other sales as well as no one really wants to Q for ages at Portland Road or Blatchington road
aat99
says...
10:36am Mon 7 Jan 13
Phani Tikkala wrote:Adding another off licence in a parade of 16 shops where there are already 2 is hardly stopping the city flourishing. The 2 off licences are independent are contribute to the local area ... Martins a national chain will simply suck money away to their shareholders elsewhere, whilst leaving the area in a poorer state.
"Councillor Dee Simson, a member of the licensing committee, said: “We have been told that this is a residential area, and we are not satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances to accept this application.”
This is typical of this council, in planning, licensing, etc. etc. - always assuming the answer is "no" instead of a presumption of yes.
Surely it should be "Councillor Dee Simson, a member of the licensing committee, said: “We have been told that this is a residential area, and we are not satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances to REFUSE this application.”
No wonder nothing ever gets done in this "City"
There are also 7 off licences within 5 mins walk over on Portland Road so it's hardly a question of lack of options !!!
Andy R
says...
1:54pm Mon 7 Jan 13
Phani Tikkala wrote:Not a question of "always assuming the answer is no", but it is quite likely that there WILL be a presumption against THREE off-licences in the space of about 15 yards in a residential area, unless there are truly exceptional circumstances.
"Councillor Dee Simson, a member of the licensing committee, said: “We have been told that this is a residential area, and we are not satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances to accept this application.” This is typical of this council, in planning, licensing, etc. etc. - always assuming the answer is "no" instead of a presumption of yes. Surely it should be "Councillor Dee Simson, a member of the licensing committee, said: “We have been told that this is a residential area, and we are not satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances to REFUSE this application.” No wonder nothing ever gets done in this "City"
All in all...not a good example to back up the notion of "nothing ever getting done" in the city. Something was done...a shop was prevented from selling booze!
sussexram40 says...
7:10pm Sun 6 Jan 13
It seems perverse to allow 2 other shops in the road to have licences and to refuse this one. If theres already 2 what difference will a 3rd make? It just means it could save a customer having to go in 2 shops instead of just one.