Text of a street letter recently delivered around the Mill Road and Covent Garden area of Petersfield, setting out our views about the Co-op store’s proposal for an alcohol licence.

Important information from your local Councillors

Street drinking and the sale of alcohol on Mill Road

Dear Resident,

We are writing to express our concerns about an application for an alcohol off-licence at the new Co-op store on the site of the former Salvation Army shop at 44a Mill Road. We believe there are already sufficient alcohol outlets on Mill Road, and that more would increase the likelihood of problematic street drinking in the area.

During the pandemic, we have managed to provide accommodation through the City Council for many people who have addiction and drink issues, which will hopefully aid their rehabilitation. However, this may not be effective for everyone longer term. Some people have rejected this accommodation, preferring to continue to sleep rough.

It’s important we don’t return to the situation we had not so long ago with large groups of people drinking and being aggressive on Mill Road.

A few years ago, together with local residents, we managed to get Mill Road designated as a ‘Cumulative Impact Zone’ to stop any further off-licences being approved. Recently, this designation has been used to reject several applications for off-licences. The City Council has just reviewed and reconfirmed the Cumulative Impact Zone for Mill Road.

Some may feel that as the Co-op is likely to be a well-managed, large store it may justify having a licence. However, approving this licence will set a precedent. If it is approved, then other shops that have tried to get licences in the past and were rejected due to the Cumulative Impact Zone would reapply and they would probably be approved.

We would urge everyone to continue to object to more alcohol outlets on Mill Road.

Letters and emails setting out your objections do not need to be long and could mention concern for meeting the City Council’s licensing objectives:

• · Prevention of crime and disorder
• · Public safety
• · Prevention of public nuisance

Emails should be sent to licensing@cambridge.gov.uk and should be headed ‘44a Mill Road’. You must include your name and address for your representation to be valid and it must reach the City Council by 23 March.

From your Petersfield Labour Councillors,

Richard Robertson, Mike Davey and Linda Jones

Richard.Robertson@cambridge.gov.uk

Mike.Davey@cambridge.gov.uk

Linda.Jonescllr@cambridgeshire.gov.uk