Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Concerns raised over Teesside c-store's alcohol licence bid

Concerns raised over Teesside c-store's alcohol licence bid
iStock image
Getty Images

An application for a convenience store to sell booze has faced objections over concerns it will worsen crime in the area and add pressure to emergency services, stated reports on Thursday (20).

As per local reports, Muhammad Tayyeb Butt has submitted an application to enable his new store, Teesside Grocers Ltd to sell alcohol from 7am to 10pm every day. However, concerns have been raised about his application owing to the risk of increasing the town’s alcohol-related issues, in an area where levels of anti-social behaviour are already high.


“As evidenced by the need for Cumulative Impact policies, Middlesbrough already suffers from high levels of alcohol-related crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour,” reports quoted Cleveland Police's Chief Constable, Police Constable Jason Arbuckle, as saying.

“Cleveland Police are firmly of the belief that another off licensed premise will only exacerbate existing problems, by making alcohol more readily available to persons who have already partaken in alcohol and the vulnerable, this is particularly concerning considering more and more people are consuming alcohol at home.”

The council’s licensing policy states that applications for licences in these areas “will normally be refused or subject to certain limitations, following relevant representations, unless the applicant can demonstrate in the operating schedule that there will be no negative cumulative impact on one or more of the licensing objectives”.

On behalf of the director of public health, a public health officer also raised concerns that another off-licence could put extra pressure on the health service.

“Allowing another alcohol premises to operate between the hours of 7am - 10pm daily makes alcohol more readily available and will not only exacerbate some of the alcohol-related issues already experienced in Middlesbrough but will also add unnecessary pressures to our emergency services including NHS Accident and Emergency departments, ambulance services, and the police,” reports quoted Faith Helyer, a public health officer, as saying.

Both the public health official and Cleveland Police said that the owner was difficult to reach to discuss the application, reports said.

More for you

Freight crime cost over £680 million

iStock image

Freight crime cost over £680 million

Freight-related crime cost the UK economy an estimated £680-700 million in 2023, when accounting for lost revenues, VAT, and insurance costs, revealed a recent report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Freight and Logistics.

The study, funded by the Road Haulage Association (RHA), documented 5,370 reported incidents of HGV and cargo crime across the UK last year, a 5 per cent increase on the previous year. Experts suggest that the actual figures could be significantly higher due to under-reporting. The direct value of stolen goods reached £68.3 million.

Keep ReadingShow less
 a glass jar of honey
Photo: iStock

British beekeepers urge retailers to stock local honey as imported products fail authenticity test

British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA), which represents hobbyist beekeepers, has urged retailers to stock local honey, after a new research raised significant questions about the composition of blended honey samples imported to the UK and sold at supermarkets.

In a recent authenticity test, 96 per cent of samples of imported honey from supermarkets were found to be ‘atypical’ for honey, compared to 100 per cent of UK beekeeper samples that were deemed ‘typical’.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Illegal vapes

Illegal vapes seized in Swindon raids

Photo: Wiltshire Police

Five arrested after seizure of illegal vapes worth thousands of pounds in Swindon

Wiltshire Police have arrested five people and seized more than £55,000 worth of illicit vapes, tobacco and alcohol following a series of warrants in the Broadgreen area of Swindon.

In a joint operation HMRC and Trading Standards, officers executed four warrants in Manchester Road at three stores and a property on Tuesday as part of the force’s ongoing Clear Hold Build work within Broadgreen.

Keep ReadingShow less
Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

As industry leaders is cash handling, Volumatic has long supported the use of cash and the importance of maintaining access to cash for both consumers and businesses. The company recognises the importance of the new set of rules created by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) two months ago, to safeguard access to cash for businesses and consumers across the UK.

Since introduction, the new rules are intended to ensure that individuals and businesses who rely on cash can continue to access it and the outcome has already sparked the creation of 15 new banking hubs across the UK, including one in Scotland, with many more to follow.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jisp unveils new NPD service

Jisp unveils new NPD service

Retail technology company Jisp has launched an NPD service as part of its new Direct to Retailer business unit.

The new NPD service will allow brands to launch or trial new products in a guaranteed number of convenience store locations, with on the ground review of execution by Jisp’s retail growth manager team, and performance data and insights deliverable through its scanning technology and back-office systems.

Keep ReadingShow less