Licence granted despite petition

A BATTLE was fought yesterday over plans to open a controversial off-licence in Springhead.

But despite a 200-name petition, Oldham Licensing Panel decided to approve the Carr House Road, Springhead, outlet after hearing that the applicants had run similar businesses successfully in the past.

However, the principal objector, Faqra Awais, who runs a shop near by, said she would carefully monitor the operation of the off-licence and object if there were difficulties.

The applicant, David George Nield, told the panel he had operated off-licences in Oldham for the last 20 years, including one in the same road.

They had been run by himself and his wife Shirley without any public nuisance problems, and he said there was no suggestion the new shop would encourage anti-social behaviour.
They would ask customers to leave quietly, speak reasonably to any younger people hanging about outside, and clear up any litter.

In addition, said Mr Nield, they were very strict about not selling alcohol to children.

Acknowledging the petition, he said, many of those who had signed it lived outside the immediate area.

Mrs Awais noted that there had been problems with youths congregating and said she expected more nuisance and litter if the new shop opened.

Resident Janet Holworth said there would be noise from extra traffic.

She said with the other shop the couple operated, there were always young people around and younger people were seen running the shop.

In giving approval, the chairman of the panel, Councillor Jim McArdle, said that instead of running from 7am until 10pm, the licence would be effective from 8am.