A couple who run a ‘small empire’ of convenience stores have been given the go-ahead to sell alcohol at a new shop - despite previously being refused over a ‘history of non-compliance’. Ryan’s Newsagent Ltd - run by Gurinder Singh Sandhu and Monika Pyka - has been granted a premises licence for a former hairdresser's shop in Shaw Heath by Stockport council.
A town hall panel rejected the application in February after hearing the pair had failed to meet their legal obligations at their other stores - including displaying drug paraphernalia and not storing CCTV footage appropriately. But - despite the authority’s own licensing officers recommending a second refusal - councillors gave a new application the green light when they met on Monday night.
The decision of the three-strong licensing panel, chaired by Coun Alanna Vine, means the shop will be able to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises between 6am and 11pm every day of the week. Licensing officer Ian O’Donnell told the meeting his team still did not have confidence that Mr Sandhu - known as Gary - and Ms Pyka could uphold the licensing objectives.
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