OWNERS of a shop in Bury have been given permission to sell alcohol after winning a battle with neighbours.

Georgina Hamer asked Bury Council for permission to sell alcohol at a shop in Tottington Road, near the junction with David Street, from 8am to 10pm daily.

However, a group of people opposed the idea as they were worried that they would be accosted by underage drinkers wanting them to buy alcohol on their behalf.

Others had concerns about litter outside the shop and an increase in noise and anti-social behaviour caused by people drinking outside.

Bury licensing panel met at the town hall and granted Ms Hamer permission at a meeting on Monday.
The panel’s chairman, Cllr David Jones, said: “None of the objectors turned up, though we did give careful consideration to their objections.”

“The main thing was that the applicant had already proposed measures that would reduce the chance of problems developing at the shop.”

The shop will be fitted with CCTV cameras and staff will be trained in licensing laws and will ask customers who look under 21 to prove they are aged over 18.

A sign will be put up asking customers to respect the shop’s neighbours as they leave and staff will tidy up the outside the shop at closing time. 

Mr Jones added: “The purpose of these meetings is to strike a compromise and I believe we have done that.”