Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Compromise reached over Middlesbrough store’s bid to extend hours

Compromise reached over Middlesbrough store’s bid to extend hours
Morrisons Daily on Corporation Road in Middlesbrough (Photo: Teesside Live via LDRS)

A convenience store in Middlesbrough will not be allowed to serve alcohol until midnight but a compromise has been reached.

Morrisons Daily on Corporation Road has secured permission to sell booze until 11pm, an hour later that its current 10pm deadline. It will also be able to serve hot food and hot drinks until midnight, an hour longer than it previously could.


Cleveland Police and public health were both against the midnight request due to fears the change would exacerbate issues in the town centre including crime and anti-social behaviour. However, following discussions at a licensing hearing on Tuesday, a compromise was reached.

Labour’s Cllr Chris Cooke, the chair of the licensing panel, asked what customers the store expected to attract between 10pm and 11pm. Robert Botkai, who was representing Mohan Palanisamy, said they would be selling alcohol to their existing customers before adding: “We are not expecting queues of people outside of the store.”

Barrister Charles Holland, representing Cleveland Police and public health, said a close eye would be kept on that part of town to ensure the changes didn’t have a negative impact. If there are any issues enforcement action will be taken.

He added: “We are aware there is a balance to be struck with the interests of all stakeholders and residents in the late-night economy. This premises is a fairly new premises, licensed in 2018, when a midnight licence was sought but that was pulled back to 10pm and now there is an application to vary it back to midnight, as you have heard the compromise being struck at 11pm.

“My clients consider that strikes the appropriate balance given that this is an existing operation and it has to be said, there aren’t any issues that have been identified arising from or in connection with these specific premises…they are a quality operation.”

The two objections to the change, submitted by Cleveland Police and public health before the hearing, were withdrawn once the compromise was reached. However, in the police’s submission, PC Jason Arbuckle said: “The area in which this premise is situated in, has numerous issues involving alcohol, ranging from crime and disorder, anti-social behaviour, public nuisance, underage drinking to alcohol dependant street drinkers.

“Cleveland Police are firmly of the belief that by granting this application, the existing problems and issues will be exacerbated by making alcohol more readily available and will add extra pressure and burden on the emergency and support services.”

As part of the application, store owner MPK Properties Limited said it would comply with the licensing requirements through its pre-existing conditions, this includes having CCTV and an incident book.

The shop must not stock any lager, beer, cider or perry product stronger than 6.5%, sell any single cans of lager, beer or cider or stock alcohol within five metres of the entrance/exit.

More for you

New benefits scheme for Fed members

New benefits scheme for Fed members

The Federation of Independent Retailers (The Fed) has launched an exclusive benefits scheme for Fed members.

Called FedPlus, the scheme offers a range of discounts on a host of goods and activities, from everyday purchases to luxury products.

Through FedPlus, Fed members will have access to a range of fantastic money-saving benefits covering a wide variety of areas – from health and well-being to home and car essentials, and from food and drink to fashion and tech, entertainment, travel and experiences.

There is a Savings Calculator to show how much has been saved, based on monthly or annual spending, on a range of everyday categories. The Savings Calculator will generate a personal savings total and provide links to the individual deals.

Launching FedPlus, National President Mo Razzaq said: “In my inaugural speech at the Fed’s Annual Conference in June, I spoke about the importance of providing more benefits to help members make money, save money and make business easier.

“Just four months on, we are delighted to bring you FedPlus. This is an exciting new addition to our ever-growing list of member benefits which brings you quick, at your fingertips access to several offers across a wide range of categories so the money in your wallets and purses goes even further in these financially strained times.”

Members can access the scheme through thefedonline.com website. It went live yesterday (October 31).

FedPlus is managed and run for the Fed by Parliament Hill Limited, which has been providing benefit management solutions for membership organisations for the past 20 years. Top name companies offering discounts include Virgin Experience Days, Nuffield Health, Hotpoint, Halfords, Boots, Curry’s and EE.

Tom Sparke, joint managing director and client services director at Parliament Hill, said: “We are looking forward to working with the Fed to assist them in the fantastic support that it provides for its members.

“The Fed has a strong commitment to supporting its members, which aligns with the Parliament Hill ethos of placing the needs of our clients’ members at the heart of what we do.”

Carlsberg Zero
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe

Carlsberg shifts marketing focus as drinkers choose cheaper beer

Brewer Carlsberg is shifting some of its marketing focus to cheaper brands, it said on Thursday (31), as consumers in major markets bought cheaper beer and in reduced quantities.

The maker of Kronenbourg 1664, Tuborg and Somersby said beer sales volumes fell by 1.3 per cent in the third quarter, noting declines in China, France and the United Kingdom. Premium sales fell 0.5 per cent in the quarter."In Western Europe, there's no doubt that the average consumer is holding back," CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen told Reuters.

Keep ReadingShow less
sustainability, zero waste store, refil lzone
Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock

Consumers value ethics though 'sustainability needs to be competitively priced'

Consumers now want a greater commitment from retailers in cutting food waste, refilling stations, sustainable packaging, and partnering with social purpose organisations, states a recent research, which also highlights that a good majority (69 per cent) of younger consumers are more likely to shop with what they see as socially responsible retailers though price sensitivity still plays a crucial role.

According to the findings, published in Vypr’s Consumer Horizon Report, reducing food waste is the most important factor for the majority of UK consumers (29 per cent), especially for Gen Z women aged 18-24 (38 per cent). More than a third (37 per cent) of men aged 18-24 said they needed food storage advice. A similar number of women aged 18-24 (33 per cent) want meal kits with the exact amount of ingredients included for them to cut down on food waste.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sugro-Wn-News.png
Sugro UK
Sugro UK

Sugro UK unveils new B2B digital enhancements to empower members, retailers

Sugro UK, the number one buying and marketing buying group*, in partnership with b2b.store, is thrilled to announce a further expansion of its existing E-Loyalty scheme programme, which has proven to be very popular with its members and retailers, by introducing E-Loyalty Extra Compliance and Execution scheme as well as E-Coupons.

The E-Loyalty Extra is aimed to boost compliance and execution at retail store level to drive new product launches, core range compliance, some exciting fixture trials with its supply partners and more! It will be available to all member owned and member affiliated retail stores within the group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

iStock image

Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

Expanding its footprint in the World Foods category, Paulig has acquired Panesar Foods, a prominent UK-based producer of sauces and condiments.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Tipton, Panesar Foods is a family-owned business with three production facilities, employing 308 staff and achieving a turnover of £59 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

Keep ReadingShow less