Doncaster shop's bid to sell booze from 6am across from school is granted with conditions

An application for a Doncaster shop to sell booze from 6am just yards from a school has been amended to approval.Â
The unit where Londis will operate on Mere Lane in Armthorpe. Picture: Marie Caley/Doncaster Free PressThe unit where Londis will operate on Mere Lane in Armthorpe. Picture: Marie Caley/Doncaster Free Press
The unit where Londis will operate on Mere Lane in Armthorpe. Picture: Marie Caley/Doncaster Free Press

A proposed Londis store on Mere Lane, Armthorpe, originally wanted to sell alcohol from 6am-11pm seven days a week.

The scheme raised objections from neighbours namely due to the shop's location across the road from Armthorpe Academy.

The new Londis store on Mere Lane will be allowed to sell alcohol from 9amThe new Londis store on Mere Lane will be allowed to sell alcohol from 9am
The new Londis store on Mere Lane will be allowed to sell alcohol from 9am
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Doncaster councillors on the sub-licensing committee approved the licence but followed recommendations from South Yorkshire Police that the shop begins selling alcohol from 9am instead.

The committee also said the shop must have a minimum of three staff on at any time, full training for all employees on alcohol sales and CCTV inside and outside of the shop.

The owners said all alcohol is planned to be stored in fridges and a cover will be put over the units until 9am.  

Security shutters will also have to be installed on the shop front to deter thieves.

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Anil Bhawsar, the agent on behalf of applicant Sarlaben Jina, said the family has been running shops successfully for over 25 years and wanted to '˜work in harmony' alongside their neighbours.  

Finningley Coun Steve Cox said he was concerned that the applicant's husband could not set out Doncaster's licensing objectives.

But the licence was passed with a number of extra conditions.  

Clare Mitchell, who lives next door to the proposed shop, objected to the booze sale plan outlining her concerns over '˜anti-social behaviour', groups '˜loitering' causing trouble and its location near the school.

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The application also raised objections from two women who live in the flat above the shop.

They said anyone trying to break in could confuse the entrance with their front door.

A third objection from neighbours Mr and Mrs Myers said the application was '˜unacceptable' due to its location across the road from a school.  

"There are at least nine businesses selling alcohol within a distance of one mile. Is there any call for another outlet? These do not include pubs and clubs,' they said.

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Agent Anil Bhawsar told the committee : 'I understand concerns from neighbours and the committee. However, the family has been involved in running shops for many years.

'Going forward, what they aim to do is run this shop in harmony in the in neighbourhood within that local community because if they don't the business will simply not work. The neighbours are potential customers and they want to work along with them.

'As well as agreeing with all of the terms the police have supplied, posters will also be put up to prevent underage drinking, anti-social behaviour and noise.

'Staff will deter any groups gathering outside and will ask them politely to move on.'

The shop, which currently stands empty, could open within four weeks of the licence being granted.