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Sealed with a handshake: objectors win over trader

Objectors with off-licence owner Soner Aksu

Off-licence drops 1am closing bid after warning of drunken youths in area where Ben died

Published: 3 September, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

THE owner of a drinks store – close to the spot where teenager Ben Kinsella was murdered – won the praise of objectors when he agreed this week to drop plans to open until 1am.

Off-licence owner Soner Aksu decided his North Road store would shut at 10pm after hearing that the area – where 16-year-old Holloway youth Ben was stabbed to death two years ago – was still plagued by drunken youths.

Among those who spoke at an Islington licensing hearing considering the Food and Wine store application for a new licence were Elaine Shapiro, a resident of Hawberry Lodge sheltered accommodation, Michaela Cole, a manager at the lodge, run by Circle 33 Housing Trust, and residents Russell Watkins and Viraj Patel.

The objectors pointed out that, despite crackdowns on youth by police, including a 9pm curfew, there was still a big problem with young men hanging about the street, under-age drinking and aggressive behaviour, often involving dogs.

One resident said: “Look, I don’t care how well this store is run and how many security staff and CCTV cameras it has. The fact is it wants to sell alcohol to people up to 1am. What kind of people need to drink at that time of the morning? It can only mean more noise and disturbance to the residents.”

Objectors shook hands with Mr Aksu after he agreed to close at 10pm. 

Mrs Shapiro said: “We really appreciate Mr Aksu’s kind gesture in support of us. It’s a great result for us but I’m sure that once the community get to hear of this he will get lots of business.

“Unfortunately, this is a bad area. Despite all the work the police and council have done to regenerate the area we still have a lot of problems.”

Ms Cole also welcomed Mr Aksu’s decision. “We have a 55-plus age range who are already very worried about noise,” she said. “A later opening could have meant more disturbances.” Mr Watkins said 10pm closing made good community and commercial sense. “A store is very much a part of the community and should be a good neighbour,” he added. “By staying open until 1am it would have attracted people who want to drink into the early hours. Closing at 10pm is perfectly reasonable.”

Chairing the licensing committee, Labour councillor Troy Gallagher said: “I only wish more licensing hearings could end on such a positive note.” 

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