Councillor Flynn welcomes licensing decision

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 16th Aug 2007

Castleton Councillor Pat Flynn has welcomed the decision by the council's licensing sub-committee to refuse an extension of licensing hours to Eurosave Express on the corner of Manchester Road and Railway Approach, Castleton.

She said: "I am a lifelong resident of Castleton and it is becoming a no-go area at night because of the youth drinking culture."

Current licensing hours are between 7am and 11.30pm and with store wanting to sell alcohol for 22 hours a day Councillor Flynn was fearful of the affect on Castleton residents already suffering the effects of a youth binge-drinking culture. She said: ""Everyone is doing everything they can to stamp out the binge drinking, it must stop."

As well as Councillor Flynn, the application was also opposed by police and residents and welcomed by the Friends of Castleton Railway Station, who had wanted to object but were prevented from doing so because their members did not live in 'close proximity' to the store.

A spokesman said: "Almost every morning when we go down to clean the station we are met with the debris of over-night drinking parties.

"Empty beer, lager and cider bottles and cans are left all over the place. Usually it's a right mess. We are not saying the alcohol is bought at the Eurosave store, but as the store closest to the station they should, in our opinion, lead the way in stamping out this type of behaviour."