Burnley residents launch petition to oppose off-licence (From This Is Lancashire)

Burnley residents launch petition to oppose off-licence

9:04pm Friday 28th December 2012 in News

RESIDENTS have rallied together to oppose plans to open the 10th off-licence in their neighbourhood.

Around 120 residents have signed a petition against the proposal to open a shop in Brennand Street in Burnley.

Residents said that there were already nine off-licences within a 500 yard radius and the area suffered from anti-social behaviour, litter and criminal damage as a result.

An application from Tariq Hussain Shah to open the off-licence at 12 Brennand Street from 9am to 10pm every day has been submitted to Burnley Council, and the licensing committee will make a decision on it at a meeting on January 8.

A total of 119 people have signed the petition organised by the Burnley Lane Residents Action Group.

Jennifer Braddock, secretary of the group, said: “Within a 500 yard radius of this property we already have nine outlets selling alcohol.

“This area suffers from a high level of anti-social behaviour, much of which stems from alcohol misuse. We have a considerate amount of bottles and cans deposited on windowsills, in doorways and on pavements, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.

“In the past there have been windows broken by bottles being thrown and many people have had their cars damaged due to drunken and loutish behaviour.

“There is a high proportion of families with young children and late night opening will have a major impact on their lives.”

As part of the application the off-licence will have to have in place an age verification policy, while they have also said that a digital CCTV system will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and staff will maintain an incident log book which will include under-age sales refusals.