Proposed 24hr Alcohol Sales Costcutter Corner of Sidney Road & Beckenham Road

[Jon Clarke]

See attached circular on pdf doc for more info.

I was sent this by a concerned resident who over the summer holdiays was one of only a few close roads to receive the circular noting the proposal for a new 24hr Costcutters premises below the new flats on the corner of Beckenham Road and Sidney Road in Beckenham, near Clock House Station. I don't believe anyone Clock House Raod side of the station received or knew about this.

The major point was that the proposal is for a 24hr licencing order so that alcohol can be sold 24 hours 7 days a week.

The circular was dated 11th August and any objections were to be made in writing or email to [e-mail] . Representations to be based on one or more of the 4 licensing objectives.

Crime & Disorder
Public Nuisance
Public Safety
Protection of Children from harm

This will have implications for many of the small shops no doubt, but more importantly is 24hr alcohol sales required at all? I'm not being ultra-conservative here. I just don't think it's warranted and certainly would increase the possibility of the above. I know no-where else locally you can buy alcohol any time of day or night so certainly it will attract those in need.

Why again does the council put out these circulars and advertise over major holiday period too? I don't know how many residents know about this or acted one way or another, but there is a Licensing Sub Committee meeting on this and in light of this then local residents should talk to their local councillors quickly. John Getgood covers this ward and is on thiis site, and he'll be able to point you to other councillors covering your wards too no doubt.

[Reg Adams]

A Hearing before the Licensing SubCommittee on Costcutter's application will take place at the Civic Centre on 28 September, starting at 10:00. I have registered to voice objections at this Hearing along the lines set out below. Certainly I would appreciate receiving any further comments from anyone before that date. You can reach me via this website or directly to Cllr Reg Adams at [e-mail]:

1) A number of my constituents have contacted me, raising objections to the application from the proposed new Costcutter's for a 24/7 licence to sell alcohol.

2) The Costcutter's supermarket has not even been installed at this new property as yet, so of course there is no track-record of crime & disorder or public nuisance associated with this specific applicant.

3) However, local residents are well aware of the public nuisance issues that were associated with the former Clock House pub which occupied this same site until a few years ago. They are also aware of anti-social behaviour caused from time to time during the winter evenings by gatherings of large groups (gangs) of young people around the fast-food establishments on the western side of ClockHouse Station, just along the road from No.185-205 Croydon Road.

4) It has also been brought to my attention that residents living close to the Costcutter's in Penge complain about the noise from staff shouting instructions to one another, etc. during the early hours of the morning.

5) Personally, I believe that there is a strong likelihood that the sale of alcohol by Costcutters throughout the night would give rise to public nuisance and to crime & disorder in this area.

6) For many years, Tesco's (at Elmers End) was not permitted to sell alcohol after 23:00. I believe a similar restriction should be imposed on Costcutter's, certainly for the first 12 months of trading from this location. The terms of their licence can be reviewed after that time, if necessary.

[Cllr John Getgood, Penge & Cator ward]

I think this site is below the new flats so will be in Clock House ward (Cllr Reg Adams). However, it will effect Penge & Cator residents in Chaffinch, Thayers Farm and Rowden Roads. A number of residents in these roads have submitted objections and asked me to represent them at the hearing. I shall do this.

It might also be helpful to brief residents on this application, Licensing laws and procedures.

- Permission for a retail shop at this location has already been agreed. As far as I know, there are no hours restrictions on the shop. This is a planning matter

- Many supermarkets ask for 24 hours out of convenience. They want to sell alcohol at any time the shop is open.

- It is not the objective of the licensing laws to restrict competition.

- There is a presumption that licensing applications will be granted unless there is evidence that any of the four licensing objectives will be compromised. Licensing committees are not supposed to assume that there will be trouble.

- The police are not objecting to this application.

- The great advantage of the new laws is the power of recall it gives to residents. Residents can at any time give evidence to the council that the premises are causing nuisance. On receipt, the council have to call in the license for a review hearing. Recent review hearings in Bromley have suspended and withdrawn licences.

We shall argue that the hours are too long for a shop adjacent to residential accommodation and hope that the committee take note. There is no realistic chance of stopping alcohol being sold at all. In any case, I would advise residents not to panic. There has not been any previous incidents, that I know of, of extended sales hours causing problems. The fear is usually greater than the reality. However, whatever is allowed, residents know that if there is any trouble, the can take quick action. I hopethis is helpful.

Cllr John Getgood
Penge & Cator

[C Andrew]

Sorry we did recieve the letter on Churchfields Road and intended on posting it on here but afraid time flew away with us. We did have concerns about the 24hr license - not neccesarily the store although do appreciate it will significantly affect other local shops nearby as there isn't a need for the extra services.

We think they have applied for 24hr license in order to give them the option of opening late - although can't really see the point as there isn't the demand surely?! Its dead around here late at night. We would have concerns about teenagers in particular hanging around drunk late at night and are hoping it just turns into a 7-23 hours which we wouldn't have a problem with. Parking is also horrendous here anyway - a late night opening will only attract those with a car as its the only place that would be open 24 hours and we don't need any extra people parking!

[Reg Adams]

Costcutter's Licence - Changes to Hearing Date & to Hours

I have just been informed by Steve Phillips (Licensing Officer) of some important changes:

1) The date for the Hearing has been postponed from 28 September to a new date:

Wednesday 21 October

- venue (The Civic Centre) & starting time (10:00) as before.


2) CostCutter's has revised its application. They are now applying for a licence to sell alcohol:

Between 08:00 and 23:00, seven days a week


3) CostCutter's advise a change in proposed hours of opening of the supermarket. The new hours will be:

Between 06:00 and 00:00, seven days a week

But, Steve Phillips tells me that the hours of opening (i.e. for selling anything other than alcohol) are not controlled by Licensing anyway. In some cases, the Planning Dept. can impose restrictions on the hours of general retail trading, but they have not imposed any such restrictions on this CostCutter's.

Letters notifying these changes were sent out from Licensing Dept. today to all those who sent in objections.

Please feel free to pass on this news to ensure widest circulation.

Regards to All, Reg Adams (Councillor - Clock House Ward)