Doncaster convenience store gets alcohol licence amid anti-social behaviour concerns

A Doncaster convenience store will soon be stocking booze on its shelves after being granted an alcohol licence by city councillors.

Hexthorpe Market Express, on Hexthorpe Road, has been permitted to sell alcohol during its opening hours of 8am to 11pm, after a hearing before the City of Doncaster Council’s licensing sub-committee.

Councillor Howard Rimmer, vice-chair of the sub-committee, announced the decision after it heard evidence from the applicant’s agent and reviewed written objections, which included concerns about potential anti-social behavior.

The sub-committee heard that Karzan Hussein, the applicant, had taken over Hexthorpe Market Express in February 2026 and had hoped to transfer a previous alcohol licence over to his name.

However, Mr Hussein’s agent, licensing consultant Tony Clarke, informed the sub-committee that the licence was not able to be simply transferred to the new ownership of the store, due to reasons relating to the business having been registered as a Limited company.

Mr Clarke told the sub-committee: “There’s no issues with anti-social behaviour and no incident has been reported at the shop in the time [my client has operated it].”

Mr Clarke explained that his client had lengthy experience working in the UK convenience store sector.

He said Mr Hussein arrived in the UK in 2002, obtaining citizenship and a passport in 2009, and had been working in convenience stores since 2004.

The sub-committee heard how Mr Hussein had also held numerous roles relating to the supervision of licences at other premises, and that he also operated a halal store over the road from Hexthorpe Market Express.

Mr Clarke said convenience stores are a “lifeline for many communities”, particularly older residents who may not be able to get out to larger stores without family help.

The sub-committee deliberated in private for a short period, before Cllr Rimmer announced the licence was granted.