Sayers row with police reignited as new bid launched to sell booze on Northumberland Street

A row between police and the Sayers family over plans to sell booze on Newcastle’s busiest shopping street has been reignited.

Northumbria Police are trying once again put a stop to plans from John Henry Sayers Jr, son of notorious hardman John Henry Sayers Sr, to obtain an alcohol licence for his food kiosk on Northumberland Street – which it was previously alleged could be a precursor to a “legitimate front” for organised crime. Officers claimed earlier this year that the senior Sayers’ infamous history in the city’s criminal underworld made his son unfit to hold a licence.

The dispute was put on hold in February when Mr Sayers Jr withdrew his initial application – but it has now been kickstarted again ahead of a new council hearing this Friday. He and business partner Lyn Holmes have lodged a new application to Newcastle City Council for the right to sell alcohol from the Saye’s To Go stall, which was the subject of a suspected arson attack in September.