Neighbours object to Northampton store's round-the-clock alcohol sales bid

Suthesabasharan Subraminiyam has applied to extend the opening hours of his Costcutter store on Kettering Road to allow alcohol to be bought 24 hours a day.

The bid will need the approval of Northampton Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee on Tuesday, January 26, as the application has attracted a number of complaints, in particular from the locally based Double H Residents’ Association.

It says the area of 169 to 171 Kettering Road is already a “magnet for people” congregating and already sees neighbours disturbed by late night revellers returning from pubs, clubs and takeaways as it is.

The Costcutter can currently open until 2.45am on a Saturday and a Sunday morning.

A letter submitted to the licensing committee from the residents’ association states: “There is vomit. Doorways to residential property being used as urinals, shouting, windows being bashed but not broken and then there is the unwanted litter and in warmer months the smell and the flies from this mess.”

However a petition submitted to the borough council by Mr Subraminiyam has 25 people in support of the 24 hour application.

Northamptonshire Police has also raised no objection to the plan.

Licensing sergeant Martin O’ Connell, wrote to the council to say: “My only request is that within the operating schedule you include comprehensive staff training, not only on under 18 sales but also on drunk sales as it is the issue of street drinking and related anti-social behaviour that has been historically happening in this part of the town.”

Mr Subraminiyam will have his chance to defend the application in front of councillors at the licensing sub-comittee on January 26, at the Guildhall.