Co-op wins battle to sell booze at new Blackpool store

A council licensing panel granted the application for the store on North Drive to sell booze between 6am and 11pm daily, for consumption off the premises.

Anchorsholme ward councillor Tony Williams, who had objected to the application, warned the store would become a magnet for youths leading to anti-social behaviour in the area.

He said there had been problems of this kind in the past.

Coun Williams told a licensing panel set up to consider the application; “We know the kids that live in this area and this store will be a magnet for kids and my concerns are that alcohol will be drunk.”

But Richard Arnott, representing the Co-op, said the company had a good record as a responsible retailer including when it came to alcohol sales.

He said: “If there are problems we will sort them out quickly. All the staff understand their responsibilities.”

The panel, which was held online using Zoom, approved the application but said with regard to a potential resumption of anti-social behaviour in the area they hoped the Co-op would “act quickly together with the community should there be any indication that these issues are becoming prevalent once again.”

Planning permission was approved earlier this year on appeal for the construction of the store on the site of the demolished Anchorsholme Methodist Church – despite more than 100 letters of objection from residents.

An independent planning inspector over-ruled Blackpool Council which had rejected the application by Melrose Developments.