Sainsbury's Convenience Store Licencing Hours
SUCCESS - Sainsbury's have agreed to amend their application for a liquor licence so that no alcohol will be sold in their new convenince store after 9pm. Read below about the campaign that has achieved this.......
As you may be aware, Sainsbury's are planning to open a new convenience store at the premises occupied by M & Co. in Cobham High Street. They applied for a liquor licence for liquor to be sold between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. seven days a week - the same hours as it is intended for the store to be open.
Cobham & Downside Residents' Association, backed by the Cobham Conservation Heritage Trust and the Chamber of Commerce felt strongly that these hours should be reduced - no liquor to be sold after 9 p.m. The later in the evening that liquor can be sold, the more risk of vandalism/crime and disturbance in the area to the detriment of local residents, businesses and the environment. Riverhill could be particularly vulnerable.
Representatives of the CDRA, CCHT and the Chamber met with two members of Sainsbury's HQ staff (who deal with licensing) on 21st March, and sought agreement from them that liquor would not be sold after 9 p.m. for the reasons stated earlier. Sainsbury's would only be prepared to review licensing hours if there was evidence that their operations create a disturbance to warrant a review of their licence. Sainsbury's had not carried out any study to see if there is a need for the supply of alcohol late into the evening and they like all their town centre convenience stores to operate common hours. They did not recognise the special features of Cobham, namely, it is more akin to a residential village rather than a town. Riverhill poses a potential major concern and that late night alcohol provision so close to the visiting Kebab Van should not be encouraged.
The organisations below submitted their own representations.
- Susan Kilpatrick, OBE Chairman, CDRA
- Alistair Mann, Chairman Cobham Chamber of Commerce
- Sir Gerald Acher, CBE LVO Chairman Cobham Heritage
The closing date for objections has now passed. If you sent in an objection to Sainsbury's liquor licence application then you should have received full details about the Licencing Committee meeting from Elmbridge Council.
Thank you for your support.
The Tilt, Cobham in May 2012
About Cobham & Downside Residents' Association
CDRA is a voluntary, non-political organisation working on behalf of the residents of Cobham and Downside. The aim of the association is to ensure that residents have a strong meaningful voice on matters that have an impact on their community.
If you would like to help us make a difference, we are always looking for enthusiastic local residents to join our committee. Get in touch to find out what this would involve. Our contact details are near the top right hand side of this screen.
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