A new York shop wants an alcohol licence – but its plan has been criticised by neighbours who say it will generate more trouble in the area.
J & P Monkton Road Limited has applied for a premises licence for a store at 3 Intake Avenue in Clifton.
This would be a “grocery/convenience store offering a wide range of products and services including; soft drinks, crisps, snacks, confectionery, sandwiches, coffee, hot food (pasties and slices), alcohol for consumption off the premises, lottery tickets and utility bill payment services”.
The store would sell alcohol during its opening hours, 6am to 11pm daily.
After discussions with the police, the owners have agreed to a number of safety conditions.
These include installing a colour CCTV system to monitor the shop, carrying out a documented staff training programme on the sale of alcohol, and not selling single cans of beer, cider or lager.
Two neighbouring households have written to object to the application.
One, in Lucas Avenue, says alcohol sales would exacerbate the existing trouble in the district.
They wrote: “Data from streetcheck.co.uk shows there were 24 instances of anti-social behaviour crimes within half a mile of the proposed site location in April 2025 alone!
“This is in addition to 23 violence and sexual offences reported in the area in the same month.
“As a resident with young children, these statistics support a clear and sustained pattern of antisocial behaviour my family and I have observed first-hand in the immediate area and granting this licence would exacerbate the issue.”
They added that the area is already sufficiently served by shops selling alcohol – “examples include Sainsbury’s Local on Burton Stone Lane and Clifton Mini Mart on Crichton Avenue”.
A resident from St Joseph’s Court also had concerns.
3 Intake Avenue, York
“The area surrounding the proposed premises already experiences instances of antisocial behaviour, which have been notably linked to alcohol consumption,” they wrote.
“Granting a new licence will exacerbate existing problems, potentially leading to increased disturbances, disorderly conduct, and nuisance affecting local residents.”
They added that the shop is on a walking route to Burton Green Primary School: “The presence of an off-licence near a school risks increased exposure of young people to alcohol, potentially contributing to underage drinking and related antisocial behaviour.”
The licensing application will be determined at a City of York Council licensing committee hearing next Thursday (14 August).