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Tesco applies for another Castletown licence
TESCO will reapply for an alcohol licence for its planned Express store in Castletown at the next sitting of the licensing court.
The supermarket giant will apply for a retail off-licence for the sale of liquor for consumption off the Malew Street premises.
Natalie Teresa Marsden, of Harbour Road, Onchan, Alan Croly, of Lakeside Road, Governor’s Hill, and Anthony John Glen, of Silverburn Drive, Ballsalla, will be put forward as designated officials.
It’s the second time Tesco has gone for the licence, having been turned down in April when the court said it was not satisfied there was a need for further licensed premises in Castletown centre. Police also said there were enough licensed premises in the town and a new store selling alcohol would act as a potential magnet for people to loiter, possibly leading to antisocial behaviour. It would also create parking issues in the Malew and Bank Street area.
Last month Tesco said it was ‘reviewing its options’ for the snag-hit store, which had been due to open its doors in July. After a series of problems, including the failure to secure an alcohol licence, this did not happen.
The supermarket giant said it planned to meet ‘key stakeholders’ to discuss a way forward.
This week chairman of Castletown Commissioners Kevin Weir refused to comment on the new application ahead of a board meeting on Monday. It’s understood a meeting between the commissioners and Tesco took place last week but not all board members could attend.
Tesco confirmed it would open a store in Castletown in November last year, after striking a deal to open a Tesco Express store in Callow’s Yard. The announcement said the move would create 20 jobs. It came after a failed attempt to get its Douglas store enlarged.
At one point, it was thought the store may open in January this year.
But Castletown Commissioners were concerned at the plans, citing worries about the impact on extablished businesses in the town and on parking, plus about deliveries to restock the store in an area already congested and possible resulting disruption for residents living nearby.
No planning permission is needed for the development because Callow’s Yard is already zoned for retail use.
It’s been a bumpy ride for Tesco, with local opposition and an embarrassing incident in which a delivery van, running a test to see if access was adequate, became stuck.
The next sitting of the licensing court is on September 13.
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Saturday 18 May 2013
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