17-hour drinks sale protest

ANGRY villagers make their feelings known outside the Grotton Hotel which is being made into a store

PLANS to turn the Grotton Hotel into a new Co-op store able to sell alcohol 17 hours a day have angered villagers.

Planning law means the Co-op does not need make an application to change the use of the former pub.

And the Co-op has been accused of not consulting residents.

Planning officers at Oldham Council approved an application for a rear extension, window alterations and a first floor-flat at the former pub in Oldham Road on February 2

However, residents have written to the Licensing Department opposing the store’s plans to sell alcohol between the hours of 6am to 11pm.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said the pub sold individual drinks for people to consume on site under the supervision of the landlord.

But she feared the shop would sell cheap bulk booze to over-18s who would then share it among their teenage friends.

She said: “I have no objection to progress.

“I object to overkill, which is what this new Co-op store would be for this area.”

Kath Hidges, secretary of the Grotton Residents’ Association, said people objected mainly to the licensing application, but had other concerns, including the effect on other village traders and noise from delivery wagons.

Grotton already has a butcher, a newsagent and an off-licence selling food.

She said: “Under new rules and legislation, the Co-op is allowed to turn the hotel into a shop and there is nothing we can do about that.

“Residents are more concerned about application to sell alcohol from 6am to 11pm.

“We’re a small community and we don’t feel we need a shop as extensive as the Co-op.”

Councillor Adrian Alexander, Saddleworth West and Lees, said: “The way it’s gone through the council is subterfuge. The Co-op has not said it’s going to be a supermarket on the application.

“If people knew, they would have got involved, but the Co-op has not consulted residents.

“It is meant to be an ethical company which help communities, but this is out of order.

“The Co-op told me it’s fair competition, but how can it be when it’s against shops that have been there for ages?”

A spokesman for The Co-operative Group said: “The Co-operative has always been a community retailer, and, as such, the opinions of local residents are very important to us and we would like to reassure people that a responsible approach to alcohol retailing is of the utmost importance to us.

“All our members of staff are carefully trained in relation to sale of age-restricted products, and all our stores operate the Challenge 25 policy, where potential purchasers of age-restricted products who appear to be under the age of 25 years are asked to provide proof that they are 18 or over.

“If none can be provided, then the sale must be refused.”