Now contains additional information submitted by the applicant.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing regarding a new Premises Licence application.

The Hearing Panel considered the written papers and oral representations made by the Applicant as well as the relevant legislation and guidance.

The applicant addressed the Hearing Panel and referred them to the details in the agenda and supplementary agenda. It was explained that the proposed manager for the store was present and available to answer questions. The applicant stated that responsible authorities did not oppose the application, with LOOH having withdrawn their representations after receiving the relevant information from the company. One Stop, as a national company, had extensive policies in place to uphold the licensing objectives and was an experienced operator in Manchester and beyond, with 650 stores nationwide. The store would trade from 06:00 to 23:00 seven days a week and in accordance with government guidelines and noted that the store previously at this location had traded for 24 hours. The One Stop would be a general convenience store for local people, similar to a range of others across the nearby area. There would be no sale of alcohol to anyone already inebriated, under-age or proxy sales. There were measures in place to stop people congregating outside the store as well as CCTV throughout the store and outside. The applicant stated that One Stop take representations very seriously and noted that the trading hours were the same as others in the area. The store would set up and run community and police group/meetings events. There were also staff safety measures in place to call for assistance if required. The applicant felt that the store was prepared for any potential problems, that the company had no recent history of issues or licensing reviews, that they would promote the licensing objectives and requested that the application be granted, subject to conditions.

In responding to questions from a resident objector, the applicant stated that CCTV as well as trained staff would deter congregations at the store and that the issue of 6 parking spaces outside was a Planning matter.

In responding to questions from the Hearing Panel, the applicant stated that training would be provided in-house and had been developed with a third party organisation, that the One Stop store in Higher Blackley had assisted local community projects as well as improving the immediate area with involvement from GMP, that LOOH were made aware of how other One Stop stores across Manchester were run with the same trading hours without any problems, that there was no proof of concerns around the sale of alcohol from 06:00, and that local group activities have been word of mouth with the Higher Blackley store reaching out to charities and the police.

The resident objector addressed the Hearing Panel and stated that they have lived locally for many years, that it has been a deprived area with crime and anti-social behaviour and other neighbours had noted their concerns. The objector would have hoped for a more diverse premises to occupy the premises but felt that this application was more of the same and that there were already several similar premises available. The objector was disappointed to learn that LOOH had withdrawn their representations and questioned MCC’s policy regarding residents and premises, the proximity between them, and concluded that more alcohol would mean more drinking. Parking could be an issue with associated noise and disturbance. In conclusion, the objector felt that the Moss Side area did not need another store of this kind, encouraging early alcohol sales.

In their deliberations, the Hearing Panel felt that the premises had previously traded with a 24 hour licence without any issues and could be reviewed if any problems were to arise. The Hearing Panel also considered that this was an application from a national operator who would be trusted to operate properly and who already had stores in place across the city without any issues whilst also engaging with neighbourhoods, charities and police.

Decision

To grant the application as applied for with conditions consistent with the operating schedule.