Alcohol sales requests spark fear of violence

There are fears that allowing the sale of alcohol from two Newark stores early in the morning and late at night would increase the risk of street violence.

The town council planning committee has objected to applications from Morrisons and One Stop on Sleaford Road to vary the licensing hours.

Morrisons says the drinking habits of shift-workers are behind its proposal to vary its hours to 6am to 11pm seven days a week.

The store currently opens 8am to 8pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; 8am-9pm on Fridays; and 10am-4pm on Sundays.

Town councillors said that after Manton in Worksop, Castle Ward in Newark — specifically Castlegate — had the highest recorded levels of anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related violence in north Nottinghamshire.

Mr Chris Gangel said: “Morrisons is 100 metres from Castlegate.

“Morrisons operates the sale of alcohol as a loss-leader. Once it’s off the shelves and out of the doors the staff are no longer bothered where it is drunk.”

Mr Dean Hyde said highest recorded crime in his ward at any one location (mainly shoplifting) was Morrisons.

He said the store had failed to offer assistance in crime reduction or show a social responsibility in terms of its alcohol sales.

Mr Tony Roberts feared all licensed retailers would follow the lead of Morrisons and One Stop.

He said: “This is irresponsible trading. This country does not have a culture of 24-hour drinking, despite what Tony Blair tried to bring about, and nor does it want one.

“I am willing to bet the majority of alcohol sold from 10pm onwards would not be drunk in the home but on the street with the incumbent problems that brings.”

The Morrisons’ application seeks to remove a condition that restricts the sale of alcohol on Christmas Day and Good Friday, although it said there was no intention of opening on either day.

A spokesman for Morrisons said the application for extended opening was to offer greater flexibility, which was primarily to allow customers to shop earlier in the morning.

“Morrisons takes responsibility for the sale of alcohol extremely seriously and has procedures in place designed to ensure that we meet all legal requirements,” the spokesman said.

“We have introduced the Task 25 scheme which ensures that if we believe a customer wishing to purchase alcohol is under the age of 25, they will be asked to provide approved proof of age documentation.”

Councillors’ fears over One Stop’s application to extend its licensed hours and sell alcohol on Christmas Day and Boxing Day were the same.

A spokesman for One Stop said: “We understand that many people work in shift patterns and their shopping habits will vary. We try to cater for all our customers’ needs.”

The licensing authority, Newark and Sherwood District Council, will decide the applications.