Underage drinking fears after shop given alcohol licence

Concerns over underage drinking in Backwell have been raised by the parish council.

Taylor News in Rodney Road applied for a licence to sell alcohol from North Somerset Council, but its move was opposed by Backwell Parish Council, whose members felt it could ‘harm’ children.

They added it would be ‘excessive’ to have four village retailers selling alcohol.

It said: “The parish council is concerned about the possible harm to children that might be caused by the alcohol being made available in a sweet shop frequented by young children.

“Furthermore, it gives more opportunity for underage children to attempt to buy alcohol in the area.

“There is a problem with young people drinking alcohol at the nearby playing fields, the source of which is undetermined.”

Police however raised no concerns, and North Somerset approved the application, with Taylor saying alcohol sales would supplement its newsagent business.