Hundreds hit out at Forest Hall corner shop's booze bid as they give long list of complaints

North Tyneside Council’s licensing sub-committee will meet next week to decide whether the Glebe Road Convenience Store, 19-21 Glebe Road, can sell alcohol from 6am to 11pm everyday. While the application has not received further commentary from the Police or public agencies, it has sparked a petition amassing 361 signatures opposing the plans.

The petition, submitted to the local authority’s licensing officers, highlights local concerns ranging from fears of anti-social behaviour to traffic worries.

The cover letter of the petition states: “Granting this licence is likely to result in additional noise and nuisance from customers arriving and leaving, vehicles stopping outside the shop, and people congregating nearby. Residents are also concerned about increased litter, including cans, bottles, and food packaging, as well as disturbance caused by early-morning or late-evening deliveries.

It continues: “Residents also note that the area is already well served by a number of convenience stores and supermarkets within a short walking distance of the proposed premises. The addition of another off-licence in such close proximity raises concerns about the cumulative impact…”

In documents submitted to the local authority, applicant Rajaganapathi Yagyanaryanan provided the council with how the shop would run to meet the licensing objectives. These include staff training, records and details of which could be made available to the relevant authorities, and age verification.

According to the application, the premises would also install a “comprehensive” CCTV system, adhere to the ‘Challenge 25’ initiative, and keep a refusals book to log rejected sales and incidents.

The council’s licensing sub-committee will decide on the application on Monday, March 9, at 10am in the council’s Cobalt HQ.