A Heron Foods in Wallsend has been granted extended licensing hours for the sale of alcohol until 10pm six days a week.
The shop will now be allowed to sell alcohol for offsite consumption from 7am until 10pm Monday to Saturday.
The Churchill Street shop did not ask for an extension to sell alcohol on Sunday, retaining the hours of 10am till 4pm.
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North Tyneside councillors on the licensing sub-committee granted the extended licence despite opposing written representations made by members of the public. No objectors however were physically in attendance at the meeting.
One resident wrote: “I wish to register my objections to the application for extended opening hours. There is already considerable disturbance for residents living to the rear of this shop during current hours.
“The new hours would add an additional three hours (07:00-08:00 and 20:00 to 22:00) where deliveries and other workings are carried out via the rear exit. It would, in my opinion, add further to the anti-social behaviour in the area.
“There are two other shops locally where alcohol can be bought without extending these hours.”
Heron Foods Limited was represented in the licensing sub-committee by Chris Rees-Gay, a partner at Woods Whur law firm.
Mr Rees-Gay told councillors: “Heron has over 180 stores with premises licences and this particular store was opened in 2017. All staff who sell alcohol go through training in Heron’s extensive licence policy and due diligence process.
“The individual store turns over about 10% of its sales from alcohol. Training is carried out by every member of staff when they are inducted and refresher training is undertaken regularly."
He continued: “The store has operated without incident since it has been opened. I would say as a licensing solicitor these are not early or late hours for a store of this nature."
Mr Rees-Gay went on to praise the shop's management team and their experience before councillors agreed to the proposed changes.
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