New mini mart can sell booze despite locals’ fears

A new off-licence in Rochdale can now serve booze to punters despite concerned locals fearing it could spark a rise in anti-social behaviour and drug use in the area.

Bamford Mini Store faced backlash from neighbours in their bid to start selling alcohol between 10am and 11pm on weekdays and from 10am until midnight from Friday to Sunday. A licensing sub-committee meeting was set up by Rochdale Council to decide on the application for the former home of the ‘Let’s Eat’ chippy on Bury Road.

At the meeting people living nearby expressed concerns that opening later in the evening could possibly increase anti-social behaviour problems.

A number of objectors shared concerns that the later opening hours could lead to drug use, an increase in anti-social behaviour and cause disturbance for residents living nearby through parking and passing trade.

Rachel Buckley, who runs the gift shop next door to the Bury Road site, told the committee: “As a business I am worried about the antisocial behaviour it may bring to the parade. On a Saturday night, if you drive past at 10.30pm everything is shut.

“I also live in the area and I don’t think we need this business at night.”

Three women who attended the meeting on 31 July also raised the historic problems in the area with a venue across the street which had its licence revoked, they claimed. However, licensing officer Rick Eckersley clarified that the establishment in question had actually surrendered their licence.

In response to the objections, premises supervisor Mr Rasoul Javadi decided to change the shop closing time to 10pm every night, the meeting in Number One Riverside heard. His licensing representative Mike Thorpe explained this had been done after his client was ‘upset to hear’ that objections had been made.

Mr Thorpe went on to explain that the shop itself will become a franchise of the convenience store chain ‘Go Local’ and offer a wide variety of goods. Mr Javadi is originally from Iran, having moved over with his family in 2019 and setting up a construction company in Merseyside, the committee was told.

“The general public expects to be able to buy alcohol from any convenience store. Rasaoul was upset to hear of the concerns of residents as he does want his business to become part of the community and be an asset to the area.

“He has agreed to close his premises at 10pm.”

Mr Thorpe went on to say that CCTV will be installed on the site; the Challenge 25 alcohol policy will be installed; staff training for serving alcohol will be done; and regular checks outside the shop will be conducted to keep it clean. The applicant hoped this would ease the concerns of locals, the meeting heard.

After hearing from objectors that their biggest contention with the shop was the opening hours, which was addressed by the shorter opening hours, they decided to grant the application.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter