Couple granted licence to sell booze at outlet

A new community convenience store in Hawick was today granted a licence to sell alcohol despite an objection from a fellow town trader.
Angelena and Keith Johnson.Angelena and Keith Johnson.
Angelena and Keith Johnson.

Keith and Angelena Johnson will create 14 jobs when they open the former Yeomans outdoor leisure outlet at 51/53 High Street as a Tesco One Shop store next month, following an investment of £300,000.

There were no objections to the application for a premises licence from Police Scotland or Scottish Borders Council but Andrew Bannerman, owner of Teviot Wines at Tower Knowe, did object on the grounds of an over-provision of alcohol outlets in the town.

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However, members of Scottish Borders Licensing Board were told that in the last five years five grocery-style premises had actually surrendered their licences in Hawick.

The couple’s agent, licensing lawyer Niall Hassard, told the committee: “We do have the one public objection from Mr Bannerman and it would be remiss of me not to point out that he is the proprietor of Teviot Wines and I would suggest there must be some element of commercial protectionism, which I understand. The provision of four spaces for alcohol is relatively small, 4.7 per cent, and on the flip side it means that 95.3 per cent is other goods, including groceries, health and beauty, medicines and facilities for the community, pay point, magazines, National Lottery and a fully-dedicated community noticeboard. The couple will be supporting the local foodbank and donate carrier bag charges to local charities.”

Mr Johnson added: “We’re really keen to get going now and get this empty shop back as a functioning part of the community.”

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