In June 2021, a shooting occurred at Da Shop, located in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, which was believed to be gang-related. The incident resulted in the arrest of a 15-year-old boy for attempted murder. Shortly thereafter, a 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were also arrested in relation to the incident.
Fortunately, the attack on the Worcester Road shop was thwarted thanks to the quick thinking of its staff, who activated a fogging device. Despite this, a council report was submitted to the authority’s licensing sub-committee, which recommended refusing the applicant’s request for a license in the area, citing it as unsuitable for residential purposes.
Despite the recommendation, Nick Semper, representing the applicant, argued that the shooting should not affect the application to sell alcohol and late-night refreshments 24/7. Semper stood before the panel of three, voicing his support for Qaiser Mahmood, the license holder, and premises supervisor, stating, “Qaiser did not invite or in any way negligently contribute to this attack on his premises, and due to his excellent CCTV footage and his fog bandit, he and his staff foiled it safely, effectively and immediately.”
Semper went on to explain that refusing Mahmood’s request for a license would be tantamount to an act of revictimisation, which would be a violation of the victim charter established by His Majesty’s government.
Da Shop, which already has long operating hours from 5 AM to 1 AM, seeks to offer a late-night delivery service via platforms such as Deliveroo. Semper highlighted that this service was particularly valuable to older, housebound individuals, and families with children who may require emergency supplies such as Calpol in the middle of the night.
Furthermore, Semper presented the committee with a 250-signature petition, demonstrating the support of the community for Da Shop, as it provides a much-needed and popular service. Moreover, the application came with a series of conditions that addressed public nuisance and crime and disorder apprehensions, including the use of a smoke-generating security mechanism and a CCTV system with 31-period recordings retention.
In conclusion, despite the unfortunate incident that occurred at Da Shop, the applicant has demonstrated his commitment to the safety of his premises and the community. As such, granting the license would serve the best interests of the community while upholding the law.
