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Shop loses its alcohol licence

20/ 5/2008

CONTROVERSIAL Castleton off- licence Eurosave is no longer allowed to sell alcohol.

MSM Investments Ltd which held the licence for the shop on the corner of Railway Approach and Manchester Road, has gone bankrupt.

The company had seven days to reapply or transfer the liquor licence, but failed to do so.

Last week the owners were ordered to remove all alcohol from the shelves.

A review by the council’s licensing committee was scheduled to take place on 27 May after concerns were raised by residents.

The shop has been at the centre of accusations surrounding underage drinkers in the area and problem youths.

Last August the owner was refused permission to extend the licence to sell alcohol for 22 hours a day.

But the hearing has now been cancelled due to there being no licence to consider.

Owner Mahmood Hassan said the loss of the licence was ‘an administrative error’ and he hadn’t decided whether to reapply.

But he added he would not be shutting the shop.

He said: "The shop’s not going to close. It doesn’t solely run on alcohol.

"The only ones that are affected are the people who have to stop here for some things and then go further up the road for the remainder of their shopping."

Mr Hassan added that he was disappointed the review would not go ahead as he felt he had a lot of support in the area.

He maintained that he did not sell alcohol to underage drinkers and felt he was being blamed for youth problems that had been in the area for years.

A spokesman for Rochdale Council said: "Last week we were notified by the Insolvency Service that a winding up order had been served against the registered licensee, MSM Investments Ltd.

"The company had the opportunity to reapply or transfer the existing liquor licence within seven days of the winding up order being made.

"Along with the police we will monitor the situation to ensure that the shop doesn’t break the law in continuing to sell alcohol."