By David Spereallocal democracy journalist
Widespread fears that crime will increase if an Armley newsagent is allowed to sell alcohol are “misguided”, the store’s representative said.
The new managers of Town Street News have applied to the city council for a license to sell alcohol between 7am and 11pm.
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A petition against the plan has been signed by 35 of the store’s neighbors, who say alcohol-fueled antisocial behavior problems will only get worse.
The store is 0.3 miles from the edge of a Cumulative Impact Zone, which is in place to restrict the number of liquor licenses in a particular area.
As a result, this means the store is much more likely to get the license than if it were inside the zone.
Speaking on behalf of the store at a hearing on Tuesday, licensing lawyer Nick Semper cited council statistics which he said showed crime was “remarkably low” in the area.
He said: “The need for another store in this area is a matter for the market and not for the licensing authority, unless there is a cumulative impact area in place, which is not the case in this case.
“With the greatest respect, suggestions of increased crime and antisocial behavior disorder and problems in this locality are not supported by the empirical evidence of responsible city officials.
“The representations against the license are well-intentioned and come from a good place, but with respect, I believe they are misguided.”
Speaking directly to objectors in the room at Leeds City Hall, Mr Semper added: ‘I reassure you all that the candidates hear and understand your concerns. They get it.
“They have no intention of selling alcohol irresponsibly, selling alcohol to children, drunks, or those who behave antisocially.”
But objector Nigel Harris told the proceedings: “I have lived in the area for over 40 years.
“Since a pub and club in the area closed the crime rate has slowly come down.
“It will now increase if we have another store that sells alcohol. it’s just going to keep climbing and climbing.
“We are tired of having glass bottles on the road.
“I’ve been threatened on the street by drunk people, and they’re going down to the neighborhood to drink alcohol.”
Armley Labor councilor Lou Cunningham (Lab) said she had suggested council extend the cumulative impact zone across Town Street.
She said: ‘We don’t need another alcohol hotspot on Town Street when we know there are alcohol addiction issues in the area already.
“We need to know that businesses coming into Armley are going to be supporting our community and not extending liquor licenses that are already there.
“We live in the area and we know the problems there.”
At the end of the proceedings, all parties were informed that they would receive the council’s decision on the license in writing within five working days.
